Mangalore : Honourable Union Minister of State for Railways K H Muniappa flagged off the Mangalore – Palakkad Intercity Express at Mangalore Railway Station on November 18, Thursday.

Speaking at the formal stage function held at Railway station, he said that MP Oscar Fenandes had worked for the running of this intercity express along with MP Nalin Kumar and B Janardhana Poojary, by drafting the demands and the facilities required at the Mangalore Railway Station.

He said that the India Railways has been catering to the ever increasing demands of the passenger traffic by introducing new trains, increasing the frequency of the existing trains, extension of train routes and augmentation of the carrying capacity of the trains. In the recent past several Railway development activities have taken place like flagging off of new trains, renovations/ remodeling of railway stations and other passenger amenities. This reflects the dedication of UPA Government towards the people of this country in general and the state in specific.

He also said that UPA Government had announced 271 new train services including new trains, extension of trains and increase in frequency of trains during the Railway almost all the trains announced in the year have been introduced.

The Mangalore – Palakkad Intercity Express is the response of the UPA Government for the increasing popularity of point to point express trains connecting important cities to cater to the segment of frequent intercity travelers. The success of the railway department lies only with the effort of labours, since Railway is the only department working 24*7, he said.

Minister also said that there are10 train running on the regular basis, 5 extension train and 3 trains which runs on the alternative days, hence the facility of the Railway station must be developed since 18 trains arrive the station. He also urged the state government to come forward to work for the development.

Muniappa said that more than 12 project of the railway department with the partnership with the developmental project of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Jharkhand railway station he said. CM Sadananda Gowda also assured to to work for the development of railway station, he said.

He also said that in order to avoid pollution in the country, further the electric train in the coming days through the hydro electric project and have balance environment and decrease the road transports and airway ultimately, he said.

The government has spent Rs 5 to 6 crores for the development of the railway station and its facilities and assured to verify and fulfill other demands put forth by the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The train moving from Mangalore- Bangalore – Karwar and Kundapur will be done soon and very soon it will also have a stop at Suratkal, he said.

Later he announced the cash award of Rs one lakh to J N Jagannath, additional general manager, Southern Railway, Chennai.

Deputy speaker N Yogesh Bhat said that the people will encourage the intercity train in the city and in a short span it will reach to a great extent.

He said that in a budget, if the Mangalore Railway Station gets the world class facility, and then it will become the important station after Bangalore. He also said that Mangalore need a separate Railway division and various development must take place and so that the Kannadigas will get the job opportunities.

J N Jagannath, additional general manager, Southern Railway, Chennai welcomed the guests and gathering. S K Raina, Divisional Railway Manager, Palakkad proposed vote of thanks.

Mayor Praveen, Former MLA Vijaykumar Shettym Moideen Bawa, P V Mohan and others were present on the dais.