'Lack of catch siding hinders daily day-train'

Finally, the day-train to Bangalore chugs off

Speaking to media on board train number 6516/15 Mangalore- Yeshwanthpur Tri-weekly express on its maiden journey to the capital city, he said that the facility is at present available only in two stations in the ghat region- Donigal and Siribagilu. Hence, no other train can pass the ghat section while this train is passing. However, efforts are being made to create catch siding facility in two other stations soon. One will be at Yedakumeri where the land has been identified and requested from the Forest Department. The second station is yet to be identified, he said and added that upto 50 hectares of land is needed for the facility in each station.

Different route

Divisional Railway Manager of Mysore Division B B Verma informed that the day train is taking a slightly different route from that of the night train. While the night train goes through Mysore, the day train plies via Arasikere and Tumkur, thus saving about 60 Kilometres and 2 and a half hours, he said. He added that the day train has only 12 bogies compared to the 17 of the night train.

Deputy Chief Engineer of Mysore Division I B Jha informed that 2 pairs of passenger trains and 4 pairs of goods trains are running through the ghat sections at present and that there are plans to increase it to 10 pairs if the timings could be adjusted.

Earlier, Union Railway Minister for State K H Muniappa said that flagging off the day train was the first important event after the new UPA government came into power. Replying to a query regarding the injustice of extending the Mangalore- Yeshwantpur night train to Kannur, he said that Railways is not restricted to any State, but it is for all the states.

He urged the Mangaloreans to remember that “We are all Bharatiya”. “Trains are means of unity and integrity of the country. You should know that people at Kannur are very much fond of Mangalore,” he added.

Upon a request from Bantwal MLA B Ramanatha Rai, the minister stepped down from the train for a minute at Kalladka and interacted with the crowd assembled. He assured them that their plea for a stop at Kalladka will be considered favourably.

The minister, along with his wife Nagarathnamma and daughter Nirmala travelled in the train upto Puttur, where they alighted and proceeded to Mysore. Senior Congress leaders Vijay Kumar Sorake, Mohiuddeen Bava, P V Mohan of the Railway Struggle Committee and Treasurer of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ahmed Bava were among those who accompanied the minister.