Bengaluru: The Malnad region has made some gains in the railway budget presented on Thursday by Union Minister for Railways, Suresh Prabhu in parliament.
The long pending extension of the railway line between Talguppa and Honnavar (82 km) has received Rs 2500 crore and a new 16 km railway line on the Talguppa-Siddapur route (Uttara Kannada district) has been given Rs 320 crore. Both projects may be undertaken on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis, according to sources.
Doubling of the track between Birur and Shivamogga (60 km) is likely to be taken up at a cost of Rs 500 crore as well. While construction of a railway under- bridge on the Shivamogga-Holehonnur road has also been mentioned in the budget, a new railway line on the Shivamogga-Harihar (79 km) has not found mention in it, despite public demand.
Welcoming the budget, Member of Parliament, Ayanur Manjunath said it laid stress on improving passenger safety and amenities which was laudable. “ The minister has not increased fares owing to the drought in many states,” he added.
Shivamogga MLA, K.B.Prasanna Kumar however, described the budget as “stale and disappointing,” saying that Shivamogga MP and former Chief Minister, B.S.Yeddyurappa had not got any railway projects sanctioned for the region. “The budget makes no mention of pending railway projects in Shivamogga,” Mr Kumar deplored.
