Mangalore railway station may not get world class status

Union Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa has almost declined the possibilities of providing world class status to Mangalore railway station, citing non-availability of land.

Speaking to media persons on Monday, the Minister said that Mangalore railway station is one among the 50 railway stations that have been identified for upgrading to world class level. However, the non availability of land is a hindrance for upgrading the railway station.

“It requires a minimum of five acre land for the development work which includes the opening of shopping complexes, rest rooms etc. At present only two acre of land is available at the Mangalore Central Railway Station,” he said.

The Minister said that he will announce the extension of Mangalore-Bangalore train to Karwar within a week.

He said that the work on railway track between Hassan-Bangalore-Shravanbelagola and Ramanagar-Mysore route has been delayed following the delay in acquiring land.  The work on laying railway line would start soon after the State government completes the land acquisition process.

“The work will be taken up on a priority basis. If the State government clears the land acquisition process at Kunigal and Mandya, the Railways would begin the work,” he clarified.

Speaking about Hubli-Ankola route, he said a study team from the Indian Institute of Science has carried out a survey and submitted a report, which has insisted on minimising deforestation by constructing tunnels on the route.

The report has been submitted to Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan and is yet to receive the approval from the Environment Ministry and Supreme Court Empowered Committee, said the Union Minister.

Over bridges

To a query on the construction of railway over bridge at Jeppu Kudpady and Padil in the Mangalore City Corporation limits, the Minister said that the work  could be taken up on cost sharing basis.

As the proposal has been approved in the MCC, the Railways would begin the work soon after the MCC deposits its share with the Railways.

“The construction of two over bridges would require a sum of Rs nine crore, of which the MCC or the State government will have to bear Rs 4.5 crore,” he said.

On a separate division for Mangalore, he said that no decision has been taken on the matter yet. “Mangalore and Gulbarga are the two stations among 16 railway stations that have been identified, to get the status of a division,” he said.

He directed the Konkan railway officials to submit a feasibility report on a railway station near Bajpe airport.