Chikmagalur : MP Shobha Karandlaje flags off the new Chikmagalur-Yeshwantpur train in Chikmagalur Railway station on Tuesday Nov 4.

Speaking after inauguration Shobha said that steps would have to be taken to reduce the travelling time for the new Chikmagalur-Yeshwantpur train from seven hours. The train will starts its regular service from Wednesday Nov 5.

The travelling time was more due to heavy traffic on the Chikmagalur-Kadur section and decision would soon be taken on whether the line from Chikmagalur should be extended to Belur or Sakleshpur, she said.

Since the previous UPA government had rejected the proposal for the Chikmagalur-Belur line, a new proposal would be submitted, the MP said.

She said that they had brought to the notice of the Railway officials the complaints regarding the substandard work at the Chikmagalur station, on the connecting road to the station and the railway bridges.

Karandlaje appealed to the railway authorities to provide a stop either at Ajjampur or Shivani stations in the district, through which the newly launched Harihar-Bangalore train passes.

C T Ravi, MLA, requested the MP to see to it that the Chikmagalur-Belur-Hassan line is approved. He said connecting Belur with Hassan would be beneficial to a large number of people.