Karnataka continues to get a raw deal with none of its major demands finding a mention in the Railway Budget presented by Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal on Tuesday.
Most of the trains sanctioned for the state do not contribute to improve rail connectivity as most of them enter neighbouring states after travelling a short distance in the state.
The interests of northern districts like Raichur, Bidar, Bellary, Belgaum, Gulbarga, Bagalkot, Haveri and Bijapur have been ignored.
Though the state has got 14 new trains, eight of them are weekly trains. The state has got only six regular trains. And among them, Bangalore-Nagercoil covers only 40 km distance in Karnataka after which it enters Hosur in Tamil Nadu. Marikuppam-Bangalore, Madgaon-Karwar, Talaguppa-Shimoga and Bhatkal-Thokur are short distance trains. Lokamanya Tilak Terminus- Kochuveli Express, which passes through Karwar, Mangalore and Udupi districts, Madgaon-Mangalore Intercity Express and the Bangalore-Mangalore Express are the only trains that are likely to help people.
Though eight trains that run in the state have been extended, three benefit other states. So, only five trains are extended within the state, including four to Mysore.