M’lore:Railway Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge flags off 3 new trains

Pics by John V Tauro
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, Feb 24, 2014 :  Union Minister for Railways Mallikarjuna Kharge flagged off 3 new trains in Mangalore today at 5 PM, February 23, 2014.

Speaking after flagging off the inaugural specials trains - Mangalore Central-Madgaon intercity express, Mangalore Central-Kacheguda Bi-weekly Express and Mangalore Central-Bhatkal Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) services at Mangalore Central station on Sunday, he said that the railway ministry has written to the Commission for Railway Safety to review the report that no more than two passenger trains can run on railway track in ghat section of Mangalore-Bangalore stretch citing safety reasons.

 

The ministry has written to the commission seeking directions to strengthen the railway tracks to introduce more trains on the stretch. It is the commission which takes a final decision on introducing trains, running speed and other safety measures. The commission can suspend train services if the railways fail to follow the directions of the commission.”

“The Commission for Railway Safety does not come under railway ministry. Instead, they come under Civil Aviation Ministry.

The rail connectivity to Katra, the base camp of Vaishno Devi shrine, has been completed and passenger services will start within two months after  rectifying the loopholes raised by the Commission for Railway Safety. Opening of the Udhampur-Katra section under the ambitious rail project will enable lakhs of pilgrims from across the country to visit Vaishno Devi shrine.

 

 

The railway has plans of introducing four trains to Jaipur via Karnataka from South India. The interim budget has announced 85 new trains by looking into the availability of bogies and engines.

The Minister said that Mangalore Central Railway Station will soon have two escalators and two lifts exclusively for senior citizens, children and disabled. With regard to transforming Mangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode railway stations into World Class Stations, he said that the matter is under consideration. “The ministry will look into the matter and ensure to release funds for the world class stations by March.

The minister said that they could not connect the entire Karnataka through rail. “The process of connecting main districts in Karnataka has been initiated. After I took charge as the Minister, additional Rs 500 crore budget has been given to Karnataka to give strength to the ongoing projects in Chikkaballapura, Chikmagalur and other regions”.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said that all the trains are Kerala centered. “We need Mangalore centered trains. Mangalore division was a long pending demand of the people of the region. We had a great expectations from the Minister. If Mangalore division could not be created, then separate Mangalore from Palghat division and attach it with Mysore division. There is a need to give priority to connect Hubli, Gulbarga, Chitradurga from Mangalore. A ROB at Neralakatte is a long pending demand. Trains should be given stoppage at Neralakatte.”

 

MP Jayaprakash Hegde, District-in-Charge Minister Ramanath Rai, Southern Railways GM Rakesh Mishra among others were present.

Timings

Mangalore Central-Madgaon intercity express leaves Mangalore Central at 8.15 am and reaches Madgoan at 2 pm. In the return journey, the train departs Madgoan at 16.15 and reaches Mangalore at 10 pm.

T No 17605 Mangalore Central – Kacheguda bi-weekly express will leave Mangalore Central at 20.00 hrs o¬n Wednesdays and Saturdays, leave Katpadi (Tamil Nadu)  at 10.25 hrs o¬n Thursdays and Sundays and arrive Kacheguda at 03.40 hrs. o¬n Fridays and Mondays.

Train No 17606 Kacheguda – Mangalore Central bi-weekly express will leave Kacheguda at 06.00 hrs. o¬n Tuesdays and Fridays, leave Katpadi at 19.40 hrs. o¬n Tuesdays and Fridays and arrive Mangalore Central at 11.20 hrs o¬n Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Mangalore Central-Bhatkal DEMU service (except Sunday) will leave Mangalore at 11 am and reach Bhatkal at 2.40 pm and in return journey, it will be depart at 6 pm and arrive at 10.25 pm.