Administrative Reforms Commission Chairman M Veerappa Moily has urged Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav to fix the date for commencement of the Mangalore-Bangalore Railway line sometime after June 2, in view of the forthcoming Ullal by-elections.
In a letter to the railway minister, Mr Moily has invited the minister to visit Mangalore to inaugurate the same.
In the meanwhile, Member of Parliament D V Sadananda Gowda has urged the Chairman of the Rail Board J P Batra to fix the date for running passenger train between Mangalore and Bangalore immediately.
In an open letter addressed to Mr Batra, Mr Gowda stated that the people of the coastal region of Karnataka are dissatisfied by the delay of the train and are apprehending foul play and influence of the bus operators’ lobby behind the delay.
The railway safety officials have inspected the tracks from Subrahmanya to Sakleshpur on April 8 and 9 and have reported that the line is fit for running of passenger trains. Delaying the service again has caused much displeasure among the public, Mr Gowda stated.