Train chugs off to coffee land, finally...

After waiting for decades, the residents of Chikmagalur finally heard the sound of the train, chugging into their town on Thursday.

The 25 bogey trial-run train that set off from Birur chugged safely in the town’s station at 8 am. With this, the people hope that the Kadur-Chikmagalur railway line will be soon opened for travel.

More than 20 senior officers and 100 staff from South West Zonal Railways arrived at the Chikmagalur station in the trial-run train from Birur.

They were warmly received by the railway staff, engineers at the Chikmagalur station. A pooja was held at the Railway Administrative Office.

The officers checked the control room, signal facilities at the station and headed to Sakarayapattana in four to five trolleys, to check the tracks. On Friday, they shall check the tracks from Sakarayapattana to Kadur.

South West Railway (Bangalore) Production Department Administrative Officer Akarsh, Zonal Manager Vinod Kumar and other officers were present. In the next two days, it will decided, whether to start railway operations on the new track. However, the officials who visited the station said they were satisfied with the work. This gives rise to hopes that the operations may start in the next month, said Railway Engineer.  The railway officers have warned people not to cross the track and also ensure that their cattle do not wander on the tracks, especially while trial-runs take place. 

 For the next two days, the train speed on the track will be checked. The train is expected to move at 100 kilometre per hour.