Dept to keep pace with development

Speaking at a press conference at the Deputy Commissioner's office on Thursday, Muniyappa said a huge station will be constructed in the district in a new venue.
Efforts will be taken to ensure that the station be developed in a comprehensive fashion with better passenger-friendly facilities, he added.

“The Department is avoiding delay of any kind in the work. After getting permission from the local legislators and also the district administration, we shall undertake work trying to prevent any inconvenience to the public,” the Minister said.

Representatives’ work
He added that finding the right place for the new Station as well as making facilities for the work to be undertaken would be the responsibility of the legislators and the district administration.

ter also requested them not to escape the responsibility.
Muniyappa informed that the representatives have already been instructed to take decision on whether the present station should be shifted and give a report within the next 15 days.

New line
“The Department has an intention of starting an alternative railway line in the district. The line would be similar to the kinds found in other states,” he said.
“Survey work for the new project too has been completed. If work goes on as per the plans, people will conveniently be able to travel to places like Chennai, Puttaparthi, Madanapalli, Hindupura and Bangarpet,” Muniyappa added.

A new venue is being considered for the station only because of increase in population, jurisdiction and traffic in the coming days. “We can only ignore people who demand that a station be built right in front of their houses,” the Minister of State mocked.

Expenditure
An amount of Rs 66 crores will be spent to fulfill the work on the new station, including construction, acquisition of land and provision of amenities. Construction of goods sheds and water supply centre, laying of railway lines and other work will require added expenditure. All these activities will be carried out in steps and the Department will spend more than Rs 100 crores for them, Muniyappa explained.

Present situation
Legislator K P Bachegowda, who spoke on the occasion, said a lot of time will be required for beginning work on the new Railway Station. It will require at least a year's time.

“The Railway Minister is therefore requested to take measures to improve the present station. There are no provisions for proper water supply or toilets in the station. Both passengers as well as Railway staff are deprived of basic facilities. Immediate steps need to be taken in this direction,” Bachegowda said.

Responding to the legislator's requests, Muniyappa told the representatives to submit to the Railway Department a written plea regarding the facilities required.
“Whatever you need will be provided within a fortnight,” he promised.

Chikkaballapur Deputy Commissioner Dr N Manjula, District Superintendent of Police Dr T D Pawar and others were present.

MLA’s presence raises eyebrows
V Muniyappa, the legislator from Shidlaghatta, is known to mostly escape attending meetings and programmes in Chikkaballapur despite his name being present in the invitations. It was therefore a surprise for everyone when he appeared at the Deputy Commissioner's office on Thursday, accompanying Union Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa.

His presence at the press conference, however, raised doubts too. Politicians suspect that it would lead to swift political development in the district. Former legislators Shivananda and S M Muniyappa, who were expelled from the Congress as well as certain dissatisfied leaders and activists of the party too were present at the press meet on Thursday, adding to the suspicion that the Congress is to have changes soon.