Railway Board to examine Mangaluru’s merger with Konkan Railway

Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu has promised to get the demand for merger of the Mangaluru region with the Konkan Railway Corporation examined by the Railway Board immediately. The region comprises Mangalore Central passenger coaching terminal, Old Port Goods Shed, Mangalore Junction and Panambur (New Mangaluru Port Trust).

The ‘positive’ assurance was given to a delegation from Karnataka, led by the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, which met Mr. Prabhu in New Delhi on Wednesday. Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha Member Shobha Karandlaje confirmed this development to The Hindu and said that she, along with Mr. Yeddyurappa and other MPs, from Karnataka had raised this issue in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing session.

The delegation comprised Rajiv Gaonkar, vice-president Paschima Karavali Railway Yathrikara Abhivruddhi Samiti and Venkatesh Kini, president of Railway Yathri Sangha, Byndoor, among others, said samiti’s convener Anil Hegde.

The samiti had also filed a public interest writ petition before the Karnataka High Court on the merger issue. The court while disposing off the petition, had asked the samiti to make a representation to the Railway Ministry. Depending upon the response, the samiti could approach the High Court again.

Mr. Yeddyurappa told the Railway Minister that though Mangaluru region was to be included in Konkan Railway as per the original plan, it was shelved when Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) was actually formed. So the Mangaluru region continued to remain with Southern Railway, the headquarters of which is located in Chennai. As a result, the development of railway infrastructure and the passenger needs of the region have been neglected, the former Chief Minister said.

Mr. Hegde said the merger would have far-reaching benefits on the railway network in Karnataka, with the KRCL being able to double the line by generating the required funds through freights to and from New Mangalore Port. The merger would not only enhance the frequency of train services, but also facilitate introduction of new trains connecting coastal Karnataka with other parts of the State and the country. With more employment generation, KRCL’s policy of offering jobs will also help local people, he said.