Bengaluru: When the Mangalore district administration announced that the 47-km stretch in Shiradi Ghat (National Highway 48), connecting Bengaluru and Mangalore, would be closed for traffic for six months, Railway Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda promised the travelling public that the South Western Railways would operate an extra passenger train and a goods train to reduce pressure on the road.
But with just 41 days left for the road to be closed, the Railways is yet to come out with a proposal on these additional trains, which has creating panic among lakhs of people, who travel regularly between Bengaluru and Mangalore.
In his maiden railway budget, Mr Gowda had announced the new express train and a goods train between the two cities to clear the extra rush once the road is shut. An officer from the Transport Department told Deccan Chronicle that if the Railways does not introduce the two trains, there will be a lot of pressure on Mangalore-Ujire-Charmadi-Hassan and Mangalore-Sampaje-Mysore routes, which are alternatives to Shiradi Ghat.
“Now, two express passenger trains operate between Bengaluru and Mangalore daily. There is a demand for another train,” he said.
Project highlights
Project cost: Rs 155.18 cr
Number of packages: 2
Road length: 47 km
Project duration: 6 months
Road expected to open for service by: May-end
