The Hindu : Karnataka News : MPs urged to ensure extension of train

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Karnataka

Karnataka

MPs urged to ensure extension of train

Anil Sastry and Raghava M.

Board's nod awaited on extending Bangalore train

On May 24, High Court issued an order
Proposal reportedly sent to Railway Board

BANGALORE/MANGALORE: Following a direction by the Karnataka High Court to the Ministry of Railways to take a final call on the extension of Yeshwanthpur–Mangalore Express (train no. 16517/518) to Karwar, train users in coastal Karnataka have urged Members of Parliament from the State to ensure that the Railway Board executes the proposal.

Paschima Karavali Railway Yatri Abhivrudhi Samiti (West Coast Railway Development Committee) president G. Hanumanth Kamath told presspersons here on Tuesday that a Division Bench headed by the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court in its May 23 order had directed the Ministry to ensure that the Board took a final decision on the extension of the night train to Karwar within three months. Udupi Railway Yatri Sangha made a similar demand on Tuesday.

Forwarded

Meanwhile, sources in the South Western Railway (SWR) told The Hindu that the decision of the High Court had been forwarded to the Railway Board for the final decision.

“Since the court has given three months time, we are hopeful that the Board will take a positive decision within the timeframe,” the sources noted.

Following persistent demands from coastal Karnataka residents, the SWR, in consultation with the Southern Railway and the Konkan Railway Corporation, had recommended to the board to extend the train services to Karwar. Even the Indian Railways Timetable Committee had ratified this proposal in January 2009, which was approved by the board.

Strangely, the train was extended to Kannur instead of Karwar, though there was no demand, in the Railway Budget 2009-10, the samiti said. “This was announced despite the route not being approved by the IRTTC and the Railway Board,” Mr. Kamath said. Moreover, not many passengers use the train no. 16517 to reach Kannur.

The samiti is not happy with the proposed extension of Bangalore – Mangalore train no. 16515 (runs on Monday, Wednesday, Friday) to Karwar from July 1. Mr. Kamath said the Railways had proposed to extend the train from Mangalore Junction (Kankanady station) instead of Mangalore Central.

“The rules prescribe that a train has to be extended from the terminating station which is Mangalore Central,” he said. Bad approach road to Mangalore Junction station makes it difficult for passengers to board the train and also to reach the city after getting down from the train. This tri-weekly service should be made a daily service.

Udupi Staff Correspondent reports:

President of the Udupi Railway Yatri Sangha R.L. Dias said on Tuesday that the Yashwantpur-Mangalore train should be immediately extended to Karwar.

Mr. Dias told presspersons in Udupi that that the train (train no: 6517/6518) was extended to Kannur in Kerala from December 14, 2009, following pressure from the “Kerala lobby”. Though this train was extended to Kannur, it was running under a loss of Rs. 2 lakh a day. He said, the Udupi Railway Yatri Sangha and Paschima Karavali Railway Yatri Samiti then approached the High Court.

The High Court had ruled that the train should be extended to Karwar on May 24.

‘Unkindest cut'

Mr. Dias said that there were many trains from Bangalore to Kerala. The extension of Yeshwantpur- Mangalore train to Kannur was the unkindest cut as there was demand for extension of this train to Karwar.

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