The Hindu : Karnataka News : People look forward to shorter, cheaper journey

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Wednesday, Feb 13, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

People look forward to shorter, cheaper journey

Staff Correspondent

Rail link connecting Chitradurga and Bangalore will cut travel time to two- and-a-half hours

Chitradurga: Railway Minister Lalu Prasad’s announcement that Chitradurga and Tumkur would be connected by rail has kindled the hopes of many people in the district.

Mr. Prasad, who said that the project would be launched soon, during the State-level Yadav Sammelan here on Monday, received widespread appreciation from people, mainly those who had been fighting for the cause.

Several activists felt that the new link would help the district in many ways, particularly in saving time and the cost of travelling to Bangalore, besides giving an impetus to the economic advancement of the district.

“We are thankful to the Minister for showing concern for the district. The railway link will certainly help commuters. In the absence of direct trains passengers have been going through a rough time,” said advocate Ramu Jajoor.

He said that only two passenger trains to Bangalore — the Hospet-Bangalore Express and the Davangere-Bangalore Express — passed through Chitradurga daily. These trains went via Holalkere, Birur, Kudur, Arasikere, Tiptur and Tumkur to reach Bangalore.

Owing to the lack of a direct line between Chitradurga and Tumkur, the trains had to cover about 350 km, which was 140 km more than required.

Commissioning of the railway link will reduce travelling time substantially,” Mr. Jajoor said.

10-hour journey

According to Stationmaster Siddaiah, both the trains carried nearly 1,000 passengers. The trains took nearly 10 hours to reach Bangalore. The distance between Chitradurga and Bangalore was only 210 km. “If the link is established between Chitradurga and Tumkur, the journey could be brought down to a mere two and a half hours,” he said. At present, a Chitradurga-Bangalore ticket cost Rs. 87. After the link was commissioned, it could come down to Rs. 30. “Those who avail themselves of a seasonal pass will have to pay only Rs. 20 to travel both ways,” he said.

According to officials of the Transport Department, 28 buses from the Chitradurga depot travel to Bangalore every day carrying nearly 1,000 people.

Besides this, nearly 400 buses from other depots also travel through Chitradurga to reach Bangalore. Buses charge Rs. 116 for travel between the two destinations.

S. Shanmukhappa, member of the Railway Horata Samiti, said, “Besides reduction in cost, a direct train will also reduce traffic congestion.

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