Bangalore track to be doubled

Bangalore track to be doubled
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

24 Dec, 2006 2346hrs IST

HUBLI: Union Minister of state for railways R Velu has assured to accord priority for doubling of tracks between Hubli and Bangalore to decongest traffic and also to expedite the travelling time of the existing trains on this route.

After laying the foundation stone for the new railway station complex in Hubli on Sunday, Velu said Indian Railways, in the last few years, has given utmost priority regarding its ambitious attempt to develop a uni-gauge system across the country, which has resulted in substantial decongestion.

However, he said that the railways has been not able to take up all the routes it desired as it involves substantial investment in track, rolling stock and other rail infrastructure. "Hopefully, we may succeed in including Hubli-Bangalore route in the upcoming railway budget," he said with a sense of optimism.

The minister, however, said the gauge conversion work between Bijapur and Gadag and doubling of track between Bellary and Torangallu will be completed by 2007.

On the long-pending Hubli-Ankola project, Velu said the project has hit a road block over the question of environmental clearance for the construction of railway line along some parts of the Western Ghats. The matter is now pending before the Supreme Court Empowerment Committee and the railways cannot pursue the project until the court makes a decision, he pointed out.

On the recent controversial order pertaining to the language to be used in writing destination boards on trains, Velu said, "It was just a misunderstanding." The Indian Railways has given clear directions to all the zones to adopt a triple language (Hindi, English and Regional Languages) policy and a government order to this effect will be issued soon, he added.

About the demand of shifting of the Railway Recruit Board (RRB) office from Bangalore to Hubli, Velu said there was no such proposal before the railways and added that it was unwarranted at this juncture. On the allegation of Kannada organisations that Biharis have been given prominence in the recruitment of 'D' group employees ahead of Kannadigas, Velu quipped, "Kannadigas and Tamilians are no doubt very intelligent people, but they are not as hardworking as Biharis. So they are preferred for such jobs that involves a lot of muscle power."

He said a Rs 150 crore proposal has been sent to the railway ministry for the upgradation of the workshop and hopefully the ministry will release adequate funds, at least to take up the first phase of the project in the forthcoming budget.