Coastal people express disappointment over the railway budget
The maiden railway budget presented by Dinesh Trivedi evoked mixed response from various sections of people in undivided Dakshina Kannada district.
As the budget had nothing to offer for Mangalore, Karwar and Udupi, people of the region have been disappointed with the budget.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, KCCI President Latha Kini said “overall the railway budget was good. The Minister has given utmost importance to safety, sanitation and modernisation of the Railways which was most important for the Railways. Even the increase in the fare is nominal at a time when Railways is facing severe financial crunch.
However, our neighbouring state Kerala has received bumper bonanza with regard to the development of industries related to railways. They could have considered coastal districts as well.”
“We want to urge the Railway minister to present a status report of last year’s railway proposals. We want to know how much budgetary allocations have been implemented. There is a need for transparency,” she added.
Pashchima Karavali Railway Yathri Abhivridhi Sangha President Hanumantha Kamath said “Mangalore did not find any place in the railway budget. We had urged the Railways to run Yashwanthpura-Mangalore day train daily.
The South Western Railways had proposed partial extension of Bangaglore-Kannur train to Karwar by bifurcating 10 compartments to Karwar and seven compartments to Kannur from Mangalore Central, two years ago. However, due to lack of political will and bureaucratic apathy the proposal failed to get approval from Railway ministry,” he added.
“The Sangha had also urged the Railways to introduce Mangalore-Shravanabelagola train. Though the Railways have been stating railway station in Mangalore would be upgraded to the international status for the last few years, the proposal does not find any place in the budget.”
Railway Horata Kriya Samithi President P V Mohan said “on a whole, the budget is people-friendly. However, the Minister has not responded to the demands of the Coastal district.
There was no mention of separate division for Mangalore. We have been fighting for separate railway division for the last six years. Superfast train from Mangalore-Shravanabelagola which was announced in 2006 has not come into effect till today, owing to the non cooperation by the state government.”
Railway Yathri Sangha Technical Advisor Anil Hegde said that the railway budget is disappointing for the people of coastal district. No new trains have been announced for Mangalore. There was no mention on upgradation of platforms in Mangalore Central railway station as well. “We had too much expectations from the budget,” he added.
‘Issue white paper’
Minister for Medical Education Ramdas urged the Congress leaders from Karnataka who represent UPA government to announce their contribution to the railway budget.
Speaking to presspersons, he said the budget has not announced any new trains to Karnataka. The UPA government is following step motherly attitude towards Karnataka especially with regard to railways. Those Congress leaders who have failed to contribute to the state have no moral right to seek vote for Udupi-Chikmagalur by-election.”
He also urged the Congress to issue a white paper on budgetary allocations for Karnataka, progress of work related to railways in the last 20 years.
