Union minister V Somanna flags off train service between Chikkamagaluru- Tirupati

Chikkamagaluru: Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna flagged off new weekly train service between Chikkamagaluru- Tirupati on Friday.

He said the decision on naming the newly introduced weekly train as Dattatreya Express will be taken shortly. Let MLCs C T Ravi, M K Pranesh, MP Kota Srinivas Poojary finalise the name for the train and submit it to the Railway Board. Once the name is finalised, the Railway Board will take a decision.

The minister said that train service will commence on Hassan-Belur- Chikkamagaluru within two years. Hassan Deputy Commissioner has informed that land acquisition process for laying the new railwayline will be completed within a month. The work will commence after the land is handed over to the railways, he said.

Legislative Council Vice Chairman M K Pranesh said that the train should be named after Guru Dattatreya and there will be no opposition to it.

MLC C T Ravi said that the long pending demand has been fulfilled with the introduction of new train service.

MP Kota Srinivas Poojary said train from Chikkamagaluru to Tirupati should be allowed to return within 48 hours. A survey should be conducted for the new route connecting Chikkamagaluru–Sringeri–Udupi–Kollur.