'M'lore to have world class rly station'

The day train service will boost the already buoyant tourism industry

Speaking at the flagging off ceremony of the newly introduced Mangalore - Yeswantpur Tri-Weekly Day Express (6516/6515) at Mangalore Central Railway Station here on Saturday, Muniyappa said that 50 railway stations in the country will be developed as World Class Stations and 375 stations will be upgraded into ‘Adarsh Stations’ with basic facilities. The new initiatives like Multi Functional Complexes at Railways Stations will offer variety of facilities under one roof at selected stations, he added.

The introduction of new express service between Mangalore and Yeswantpur via Sakleshpur - Hassan - Tumkur will serve as a vital link between cities that boast of rich historic, cultural and spiritual heritage, Muniyappa said adding that the service will give a further boost to the already buoyant tourism industry and promote the economy of the region.

‘Trains have no regional bounds’

Muniyappa clarified in his speech that trains introduced by Indian Railways will have no regional bounds. “A train is an asset of the nation. It may run in Karnataka or may be extended to other states. We cannot fix regional limitations on a train,” Muniyappa said hinting that trains can be extended to any destinations.

‘Realisation of day dream’

Union Minister for Law and Justice M Veerappa Moily said that the introduction of a day train between Mangalore and Bangalore is a realisation of a day dream. “Railway is the visible face of the government. The Railway Ministry under Mamta Banerjee contemplating on growth not only in terms of economic viability, but also based on the social commitment,” Moily said.

He said that the Railway Ministry will also consider the demand for Super Fast train between Mangalore and Karwar. He assured that a meeting of senior officials in the Central government will be convened to discuss various demands of the people in the region.

‘Separate Mangalore from Palghat’

Udupi-Chikmagalur MP D V Sadananda Gowda urged that the railway stations in Mangalore should be separated from Palghat division. Further talking about the proposal of extension of Bangalore - Mangalore night train to Kannur, Gowda said that the benefits sanctioned for the region should not be snatched through the decision.
He also demanded that a day train should be introduced between Mangalore and Karwar route. 

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Mangalore City Corporation Mayor M Shanker Bhat, Coastal Karnataka Development Authority Chairman B Nagaraj Shetty, MLC Prathapchandra Shetty, MLAs B Ramanath Rai and U T Khader were present.

‘Integrated security system’

Railways will introduce an Integrated Security System at the Mangalore Central Railway Station soon. Delivering the keynote address, Southern Railways General Manager M S Jayanth said that the security system comprising CCTV, access control equipment, personal and baggage screening and detection and disposal system will be introduced at Mangalore Railway Station at an estimated cost of Rs 3.5 crore.

Jayanth said that the Ministry has given top priority for Southern Railways with regard to development. While 69 trains are being introduced to various destinations across the nation, 19 trains were made available to Southern Railways, he said.

Southern Railways has recorded an all time high earning in the passenger revenue by achieving 20 per cent growth in 2008-09, Jayanth said. The number of passengers has shot up from 48.4 crore in 2005-06 to 68.5 crore in 2008-09, he added.

He said that the doubling of Mangalore - Shornur route and the construction work of new
bridge across Netravathi River is expected to be completed before March 2010.  Similarly, the track between Mangalore and Panambur will be doubled at a cost of Rs 150 crore, he said and added that an extra pit-line has been sanctioned for Mangalore Railway Station.