Mangalore : Union railway minister, D V Sadananda Gowda made his first visit after taking oath as a Railway minister. He arrived by a flight at around 8.15 am on May 31, Saturday to Mangalore for visit Devaragunda his home to seek the blessings of his Mother.

Speaking at District BJP office, he said this is my life’s most unexpected moment. Narendra Modi called me on May 26 at 9 am asking me to be present at the oath taking ceremony to take oath as Railway Minister.

Further he said, People had wished to see an alternate in the country, wished to see Modi become the PM. So everyone chosen him as PM, the people this wish has come true.

Stating his portfolio he said that, I will principally focus on the safety, service, security, and then speed. Modi has already proposed bringing speed trains and bullet trains.

I will work on all the 365 days of the year. I will not promise to bring changes in the railway system in short time. I will work for the overall improvement of the department and also meet the needs of the region, he added.

Earlier minister Kharge has put a burden on me. He announced an increase of 10 percent hike in railway tariff and 5 percent hike on freight, but these were not implemented. The issue has to be sorted out, he said.

District BJP President Pratap Simha Nayak also spoke on the occasion. Sanjeeva Matandoor read out 10 demands for Dakshina Kannada railway, including formation of separate Mangalore division.

Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Capt Ganesh Karnik, Rukmayya Poojary, Padmanabha Kottari, Nagaraj Shetty and others were present.