Mangalore : It could be an Independence Day gift for towards and home returning Mumbai workers. But this is a happy news in store for all passengers who travel between Mangalore and Mumbai regularly by trains only. The Mumbai –Karwar superfast Express service in now extended to Mangalore Central Terminal from August, 14 on the eve of 64th Freedom Day, courtesy Central, Minister for Railways, K.H. Muniappa of Kolar. Bookings will open soon and there could be heavy rush on this line, in spite of opening of Kenjaru International Airport from Aug.2 for air services with Mangalore closer to the new airport (Bajpe closed) by 7 kms, at 15 kms away only. The track is that of Konkan Railway, which may come under Southern Rly in the next 2 years.
A west coast Railway Passengers Journey Development Committee met the Ministers on Wednesday
There is another sweet news, that Mangalore to Bangalore. Day train via Arsikere and Hassan may run daily by October 1. It may even be extended upto Karwar in Karnataka Muniappa has promised. A sum of Rs. 4 crores has been released by state govt for renovating Byndoor Rly. Stn
Railway users committee chairman Hanumant Kamath adds that grants from union govt, which had not been released so far for the Konkan Railway development and passenger amenities are assured to be released soon by Minister Muniappa.
The Committee members Rajiva Gaonkar (V.P), K. Venkatesh Kini (Kollur Railway users’ union) Krishna Prasad Adyantaya (Kollur Temple), Jagdeesh Patwal (secretary), and treasurer Nagaraja Sheth, among others were present in the delegation that met Railway authorities in New Delhi. Local MPs DVS Gowda and Nalin Kumar Kateelu had done the spadework for better Railway services, and discussed these problems with Minster Muniappa earlier, along with NK MP Anant Hegde Ashisara. The committee also met the 3 MPs on Thursday for clarifications. In New Delhi, the Committee members had met Oscar Fernades, AICC General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP.
The two trains from Mumbai via Goa and Karwar to Mangalore and the Bangalore-Mangalore day train extended to Karwar will put the entire Karnataka West Coast on Railway Map and provide fillip to Mangalore city as only next to Bangalore in tourism / travel infrastructures this decade. This major development comes after forming New Mangalore Port Trust.