'Railway budget disappointing'

  Though Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee termed the railway budget as “pro-people,” the budget evoked mixed reactions from all sections of the people in coastal region.

“The Karnataka government had spent nearly Rs 150 crore to realise its long pending dream of Mangalore-Bangalore train. However, now all the efforts have gone in vain and the benefits have been extended to Kerala by extending the train to Kannur.

Mangaloreans are totally disappointed with the budget. With the extension of Mangalore-Bangalore train to Kannur, Mangalorean are losers. The train will not come to Mangalore Central railway station. It will go via Mangalore Junction.

Earlier, we were getting 400 seats. With the extension of the train, we will get only 60 seats for reservation. We had asked for the extension of train to Karwar. We have lost one train which we could have called ours. Our elected representatives have not done anything to stop the proposal of extending the train,” said Railway Yathri Sangha (Puttur) Technical Advisor Anil Hegde.

On the other hand, Achal Industries Proprietor Giridhar Prabhu welcomed the move to upgrade the Mangalore railway station. “Mangalore railway stations have the credit of largest movements of trains with less platforms. The upgradation will be of great use to Mangaloreans as well to the visitors. However, the extension of Bangalore-Mangalore train to Kannur is a bad news. The authorities can introduce a separate train between Kannur and Bangalore instead of extending the existing train to Kannur. We will support the extension of a separate train. There is a need to pressurise the commencement of Hubli-Ankola train for the movement of cargo.”

Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industries President Srinivas Kamath said that the railway budget for the country as a whole is good. “The upgradation of Mangalore railway station to international standard is a good move. We had requested for the introduction of a day train between Mangalore-Bangalore. Instead of providing an additional train, the budget has extended the existing Mangalore-Bangalore train to Kannur. Mangalore is a centre which relies on Bangalore.”

MLA Yogish Bhat said the extension of Mangalore-Bangalore train to Kannur is an injustice to the people of Mangalore. “We will protest against such move. We were expecting the commencement of a day train between Mangalore-Bangalore. I am sure that CM and MPs from this part of the region will convince the Union Railway Minister not to extend the train service.” DK District Congress Committee Vice President Ivan D’Souza said that the Union budget has given priority to Karnataka by introducing several new routes as well as eight new trains. “Upgradation of Mangalore railway station is a welcome move. Booking railway tickets through SMS, and post offices will help all section of the people.” Mangalore Railway Horata Samithi Convener P V Mohan said that though the budget is good, the people of Coastal Karnataka are disappointed. “By extending the Mangalore-Bangalore train to Kannur, Mangalore has become irrelevant in railway map. We were demanding Mangalore division. However, with the extension of train to Kannur, it appears that preparations are being made to create Kannur division. We have emotional attachment towards Mangalore-Bangalore train. Now a delegation will meet the ministers on July 8 to urge not to extend the train service to Kannur.”