Kids delayed at level crossing, reschedule trains, says institution

Train has become a hurdle for some students to reach their schools and colleges in time, thanks to the railway level crossings located in the vicinity.

The problem of the students of Rosario Educational Institutions, Pandeshwar, that comprises school, PU and degree colleges, remains unsolved.

On Thursday, a section of teachers and lecturers from Rosario submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Dr K G Jagadeesh during the Janasamparka Sabhe of Mangaluru taluk chaired by District In-charge Minister Ramanath Rai held at Rosario Cultural Hall.

One of the teachers, who read out the memorandum, explained that the railway crossings near Pandeshwar and Hoige Bazaar have been delaying the arrival of students.

The gates at level crossings are closed between 9.30 am and 9.45 am to facilitate the movement of only goods train on the stretch. It would be better to close the gate only during night hours against keeping the same closed in day time too, said the teacher. The institutions account for collective strength of 3,000 students and it is high time the problem is addressed.

Deputy commissioner promised to arrange for a meeting with the Railway department and the institutions within one week, to find a solution. The district administration cannot take a call on the same, as the matter comes under the purview of railways, he said.

Toll plaza
Ashok Bhat from Apna Desh Organisation questioned the veracity of opening three toll plazas on the national highway connecting Mangaluru. Though the rule mandates opening a toll plaza for every 60-km of the highway, three toll points at Padubidri, Surathkal and Talapady are closer than the prescribed distance, he said. Adding to this, the service road at Kottara Chowki remains open for road users, while a bus stand at the same place has remained a demand for the past five years. It is not known whether Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) will take up the work or national highway authorities.

Earlier, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kumar said, “As many as 27 applications were received for the meeting, with some among them disposed on the spot. In the
case of others, they will be referred to respective department.”

The applications were related to road works, khatas, corrections in right to tenancy certificates (RTC), KSRTC bus connectivity under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM), to name a few.
DH News Service