Mamata launches three intercity Express trains
TNN 9 December 2009, 02:43am IST
BANGALORE: Railway minister Mamata Banerjee brought a bagful of gifts for
Karnataka's passengers.
On Tuesday, she flagged off three major intercity expresses here -- Bangalore-Shimoga Intercity Express, Yeshwantpur-Mysore Express and Yeshwantpur-Solapur Golgumbaz Tri-weekly Express. She inaugurated the renovated Tumkur and Dharmapuri stations and introduced the solid-state interlocking system at Bangalore City station.
And the icing on the cake was a surprise -- a Duronto (non-stop superfast express) from Bangalore to Howrah to be introduced soon.
Promises galore
During the holiday season, 2,872 special trains will be introduced for students to go home and 4,326 additional coaches to manage the holiday rush.
She announced four extensions for towns not connected properly. Bangalore - Hubli Intercity Express will go to Dharwad, Tirupati-Mysore Express will connect Chamarajanagar and will be announced shortly, Yeshwantpur-Mangalore Express will connect Kannur and Mumbai-Karwar, a Konkan railway train, will connect Mangalore.
Mamata, seemingly impressed by the scenic beauty of Karnataka, said "Bangalore is the air-conditioned city, very environment friendly and clean. I like Bangalore very much and am delighted to be here." Mamata said three new trains which were part of the budget have been announced, but three to four more are still left to be implemented. About 21 stations are currently being developed by South Western Railway. These include Hubli, Yelahanka, Hindupur, Hassan, Tiptur, Vasco da Gama, Belgaum, Dharwad and Ranebennur.
"We have a responsibility towards students. They should go home during their holidays, which are as short as 15 days. All the 2,872 trains are especially for them and will reduce the holiday rush," she added. Karnataka shares the maximum cost for speedy completion of projects, which sometimes goes up to 75% of the project budget, and appreciated the state for this.
Automobile hub
The Automobile Hub Association proposed 10 automobile hubs in the country, one of them already launched in Howrah on railway land. "Nine more will be built on railway land. Two can be in Bangalore and Mangalore. They have agreed to this," said Mamata.
PPP model
"The port, the coal belt and the industrial belt need to be connected. It is helpful for the masses and the industry," Mamata said. Karnataka will do a feasibility study and submit the proposal by January 2010, according to chief minister, B S Yedyurappa who was present at the event.
Mamata said that she was open to rail connectivity between Kolkata and Bangladesh because as neighbours they are close and have many similarities. However, the proposal needs to be developed and scrutinized.
