The Hindu : Karnataka News : Chamarajanagar-Tirupati train flagged off

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Chamarajanagar-Tirupati train flagged off

Special Correspondent

Steps planned to improve Chamarajanagar railway station

Izzat passes issued to commuters who earn less than Rs. 1,500 a month
Minister says clearance for Chamarajanagar-Mettupalayam line doubtful

All aboard!: Union Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniyappa flags off the Chamarajanagar-Tirupati fast passenger train at Chamarajanagar on Thursday.

Chamarajanagar: The new train service between Chamarajanagar and Tirupati was flagged off by Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniyappa here on Thursday. The fast passenger service, which was announced in the last Railway Budget, could not be immediately introduced because of the non-availability of a pairing rake. The new service is an extension of the Mysore-Tirupati train.

Mr. Muniyappa said the extension of the Mysore-Tirupati service to Chamarajanagar would enable pilgrims from border areas for whom Chamarajanagar is the nearest rail head to travel to Tirupati. The Minister announced that in addition to the existing facilities at the Chamarajanagar railway station, the authorities had sanctioned projects worth Rs. 23.75 lakh to meet the requirements of commuters. Tenders had been invited on January 28, and would finalised soon, the Minister said, expressing optimism that the flow of tourists to Chamarajanagar district would increase following the introduction of the train service.

Mr. Muniyappa said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government would leave no stone unturned in order to provide better amenities to passengers and work to strengthen the railway network and infrastructure.

Mr. Muniyappa also distributed Izzat monthly passes to below the poverty line (BPL) commuters with a monthly income of Rs. 1,500 or less. The Minister said that a substantial number of workers travelled daily from their respective places to bigger cities to eke out a living; the scheme was meant for them.

The Minister expressed his doubts over securing clearance for the Chamarajanagar-Mettupalayam railway line, given the concerns raised about the line’s effect on the eco-sensitive terrain.

A section of commuters urged the Minister to secure additional coaches for trains plying between Mysore and Chamarajanagar, especially during rush hours. Mr. Muniyappa agreed to the demand in principle.

R. Dhruvanarayan, MP, who had taken the initiative of securing Izzat passes for the people of the region could not attend the function as he has been hospitalised. However, a memorandum listing out a few demands was submitted on his behalf. The demands included a separate rail link connecting Bangalore, Kanakapura, Malavalli, Kollegal, Yallandur, Chamarajanagar and Gundlupet, reinforcement of bridges between Mysore and Chamarajanagar, augmenting the number of coaches on trains plying between Mysore and Chamarajanagar, and extension of the Mysore-Dharwad, Mysore-Arsikere, Mysore-Chennai and Mysore-Bangalore rail services to Chamarajanagar.

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