Karnataka - Bangalore   

Passenger service approved

BANGALORE: The Railway Board has approved the operation of passenger services between Bangalore and Mangalore even as the deadline, set by the Minister of State for Railways R. Velu to launch the service, passed on Thursday.

The Railway Board is the highest decision making body in the Indian Railways. South Western Railway (SWR) General Manager Praveen Kumar told The Hindu that the board had orally communicated to him that the SWR’s recommendations to run passenger services had been approved.

When asked about the deadline [November 15] set by Mr. Velu, Mr. Kumar said he had spoken to the Railway Board. “You will hear about it [the board’s decision] soon,” he added.

He said the Board had asked him to be prepared to launch the services and “hectic arrangements are going on”. The board was “on the job” to find a suitable date and suitable guest to launch the service.

He said the services could begin by month-end. He hastened to add, “That is my expectation.”

Mr. Kumar said 18 coaches were being readied for one train from Bangalore to Mangalore via Tumkur. The coaches and engine would be ready in a day or two, he said. The second train between the two cities, running via Mysore, would be operational only after the successful launch of the first train. “That will take some time,” Mr. Kumar said. The two trains have been approved and listed in the Railways’ time table. Mr. Kumar has said that all the safety concerns raised by the Railway Board’s Member (Traffic) V.N. Mathur, during his visit to the area earlier, had been addressed.

When commissioned, the Bangalore-Mangalore railway line is expected to facilitate transport of about six million tonnes of iron ore a year from Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga regions to New Mangalore Port, and also move petrochemical products. The port city is billed to emerge as a major petrochemical hub in the near future.

The line will also give relief to commuters who travel the badly damaged roads connecting the city to other parts of Karnataka. It is also expected to boost the coastal region’s tourism. The travel on the line in the Western Ghats is expected to be an enchanting experience.

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