Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SHS)

Mangalore, Aug 16: The long-pending demand of many Mangaloreans finally moved closer to realization as union railway minister D V Sadananda Gowda (DVS) laid the foundation for Padil-Bajal underbridge at Kankanady here on Saturday August 16.

Addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone for the project, DVS referred to the large crowd that had gathered at the venue and said, "This crowd signifies the pain they suffered and their long wait of 30 years for this underbridge. Now that the foundation is being laid finally, people have gathered here to express their anger for making them wait so long, and even I join them.

"This project remained pending because of certain technical problems. After I became the union railway minister, I gave top priority to this project and cleared the files within a few days. Earlier also when I was the MLC I had fought for this cause. The state government will bear 50 percent of the cost, out of which a portion will be from the MCC, and the project will be completed and opened for public in February next year, as per plans. But I have requested the general manager of southern railways to take the matter seriously and see that it is ready by January," he said.

Asserting that his style of functioning was akin to that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, DVS said, "In the last 67 years the railway department was crawiling. It's not promises but deliverance that matters in Modi-led government. I do not want to speak, I want my work to speak for me. We have decided that no files in the railway offices should remain pending for more than 10 days. Any file or proposal that comes to the railway department will be dealt or disposed off within 10 days."

Regarding the issue of language at Mangalore railway stations, he said, "I have ordered that twice every week Kannada would be taught to non-Kannadigas employed with the railways. This is not only for Mangalore but in every region. All regional languages will be given equal priority."

Stressing on the importance of cleanliness, he said, "The railway is public property, and everything cannot be done by the department alone. There should be self-awareness among people. Toilets and platforms should be maintained well and people should ensure that they keep them clean. I recently travelled by second class from Bangalore to Mysore and I was not happy with level of cleanliess. I have ordered every DRM to visit each railway station every day and monitor. I have faith in my officers. Today I see that Mangalore junction is very clean, but this should be maintained every day."

He also appreciated the community aided railway department scheme started in Mangalore where teams from NGOs, Rotary, Rotract and other clubs and NCC members volunteer to clean up the railway stations in the city.

On the long-cherished dream of having Mangalore as a separate railway division, DVS seemed reluctant to commit himself and said that he was studying the feasibility of this move and had already held one round of talks with the officials concerned. It would take another six months to complete the study, he said, adding that a good solution would be given to the people of Mangalore.

Speaking further on the development of railways under his tenure, he said, "Safety, security and sevice are our priorities. Incorporating IT into railways is our focus of attention. Before I assumed this office, we were able to book 2,000 tickets per minute, but now we can book 7,200 tickets per minute, that is 1,20,000 people can book their tickets simultaneously without any techincal glitch.

"Within 15 days of assuming charge, we raided 15 railway stations and imposed fines of Rs one lac each on caterers who were providing bad food. If they repeat the same in future, their licences will be cancelled," he added.

"Railway projects worth Rs 5,60,000 crore were pending under the previous government, but I have not dropped even a single project of the UPA government. We are moving ahead with those projects as development is a continuous process and we should all work together. We planned the budget very carefully so that there are no populist measures and thereby, no burden on the exchequer.

"As per practice, the state government has to bear 50 percent of cost for a rail project, but recently the CM of Karnataka had to written to me saying that his government is unable to do so due to lack of sufficient funds. But this practice cannot be reviewed as even the BJP had borne 50 percent of the cost when it was in power in the state. Finally, MLAs from the coastal region convinced the CM and now the same old practice will be maintained," he explained.

On upgrading the Mangalore Central station with world class facilities, he said the project is in the pipeline and will cost around Rs 215 crore. It will be taken up on PPP model and the procedures are under way. "We will deliver it," he promised.

He further said that two escalators have been sanctioned for Mangalore Central station and they will be installed very soon. He also made a mention of other projects like doubling of Ullal track, Bangalore-Mangalore train that will be named 'Kudla Express', digitalization of the railway department, and so on, and assured that any proposal for railway coming from DK district would be given the highest priority.

DVS also said that the price of areca import had been increased to Rs 175 per kg from Rs 110 per kg, following talks by a delegation from Campco with minister of state for commerce and industry Nirmala Sitaraman.

Ramanatha Rai, minister for forest, environment and ecology presided over the function. Mahabala Marla, mayor, Mangalore city corporation and Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP graced the occasion as guests. MLA J R Lobo, MLCs Capt Ganesh Karnik and Ivan D’Souza, and Asha Thimmappa Gowda, president, Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat were present as the guests of honour. Rakesh Mishra, general manager, Southern Railway welcomed the gathering.

Salient features of the Padil-Bajal underbridge

Road connected : Bajal - Padil road
Location : Near Mangalore Junction Railway Station
Estimated cost : Rs 5.61 crore
Contribution by MCC : Rs 2,80,67,953
Method of construction : Box pushing
Barrel length : 23 metres
Size : 07.50 m x 5.78 m (inside)
      : 12.10 m x 7.53 m (outside)