Mangaluru : Mangaluru Central to  Yeshwantpur new tri-weekly express train 16585/16586  flagged off MP Nalin Kumar Kateel on Thursday, February 21.

Speaking on the occasion he said,  the  Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has approved the extension of the Hassan-Tirupati and the Madgaon-Dadar Jan Shatabdi to Mangaluru.

He has also sought change in the frequency of the operation of new train launched on Thursday.

“Because of Kumbh Mela, many trains have been diverted and hence there is a problem in the operation on new routes. Once its over, Railways will give effect to the changed routes,” he said and added that the Railway officials have assured him of running 16585/16586 trains daily.

Stating that the rail network and related infrastructure in the Mangaluru region is set to witness a fast growth in the next five years, Mr. Kateel said works amounting to ₹70 crore have been taken up at Mangaluru Central.

The MP said that his initiative to hold quarterly meetings of Railway officials with officials from urban local bodies and agencies has helped to resolve issues hindering works.

He claimed he succeeded in getting the regional office of the Konkan Railway in Mangaluru. The MP said the Union government has spent ₹1,500 crore for improving the railway sector in Dakshina Kannada in the last five years.

On the pending demand of creating Mangaluru Railway Division, Mr. Kateel said legal issues in merging areas under the Southern Railway’s Palghat Divison, the South Western Railway’s (SWR) Mysuru Division, and the Konkan Railway needs to be resolved first.

Foundation stones were laid for railway platform works in Kabakaputtur and Bantwal Railway stations and for the foot overbridge at Subrahmanya Road station on the occasion. These works amounted to ₹8 crore.