The decision to drop a proposal to upgrade Mangalore Railway Station into a world class station (WCS) three years after it was announced by then Union railway minister Mamatha Banerjee, was announced by Union Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa on Monday.
He told reporters at the Circuit House that owing to shortage of land, work on upgrading Mangalore Railway Station had been stalled. He said Mangalore Central Railway Station had only two acres but the requirement was a minimum five acres so that all facilities can be provided under one roof.
Insisting that the Centre had not abandoned the project, Muniyappa said that if the state government provides additional land, the upgradation work will become easy.
Stressing that the railways does not nurse prejudices against any state, the Minister said that developmental works worth `1.70 crore had been implemented at the Central Railway Station.
Responding to the long-pending demand for a railway under-bridge (RUB) at Jeppu Kudpady and railway over-bridge (ROB) at Bajal-Padeel, Muniyappa said the railways will start work if Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) deposits its share of money.
If MCC lacks adequate funds, it should take help from the state government, he advised.
When asked about the ROB at Baikampady, Muniyappa promised to convene a meeting by inviting officials from IRCON, NHAI and the Railway Department to solve problems related to the construction. On a separate railway division for Mangalore, he said there were 16 such proposals from across the country. But to realise this proposal, the Railway Board should take a decision in this respect, Muniyappa said. To run a direct train between Mangalore and Bangalore, land in Nelamangala and Kunigal has to be acquired. But acquisition of land at Shravanabelagola is still pending due to technical problems, he said.
Kadur-Chikmagalur railway line work is almost complete. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) had submitted a feasibility report about a new line between Hubli-Ankola months ago. However, the Environment Department has not given its opinion so far. If the department gives us permission, another line will be possible between Talaguppa-Honnavar, he said.
New Railway Station Near Airport
To set up a new railway station in Kenjar near Mangalore Airport, Muniyappa asked Konkan Railways to submit a feasibility report within a month. From 2004 to 2012, over 1,500 km had been added in the state and we aim to add another 1,500 km soon. Survey work to connect Mysore and Kushalnagar has been initiated, he added.
Muniyappa accused the state government of not utilising the Centre’s schemes effectively and of misappropriating MGNREGA.
