Daijiworld Media Network – Mandya (SP)

Mandya, Jul 14: Normally, union railway ministers use luxury coaches especially designed for them, during their train travel. However, first time railway minister, D V Sadananda Gowda, deviated from this established practice, and travelled from Mandya to Mysore in second class unreserved compartment by sitting with the commoners.

The Solapur-Mysore Express, which was to reach Mandya station at 10 am, came after 11 am on Sunday July 13. As such, the minister, who had decided to ride the train like ordinary citizens at the behest of Mandya MP, Puttaraju, had to undertake inspection of the railway station here along with other officials, while waiting for the train's arrival.

Gowda had reached Mandya in a car from Bangalore. When media persons and BJP activists who had accompanied him tried to board the compartment with him, he advised them to buy tickets before coming in. As the train stops here for only a minute, others could not take this train with him.

Sadananda Gowda lent a patient ear to the problems faced by his co-passengers during the train travel. He saw for himself stinking toilets and taps that had gone dry in the train.

After reaching Mysore at around 12.15 pm, Gowda inspected the toilets, canteen, ticket counters etc at the station. He commented that the facilities at this railway station are satisfactory, but that there is room for improvement.