Mangalore: Dream moves closer to realization - DVS lays foundation for Padil-Bajal underbridge


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)

  

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Comment on this article

  • sathish jm, kumpala/Dubai

    Sun, Aug 17 2014

    Dear Mohan, If you see this particular railway crossing, the track elevation is much higher than the approaching road level on either side. So, geographically it is best suitable to have the underbridge rather over bridge. And the box pushing method is the most advanced, faster and efficient method of tunnel constructions in recent times. Precast RCC boxes will be pushed under/across the railway lines using hydraulic devises with minimal traffic isolation.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • vincy, bangkok

    Sun, Aug 17 2014

    DVS team might have bought land on both sides so they rush this work.
    They could have done during Eddy regime.
    Bullet Raja of Modi production is over reacting.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • aneessm05, karkala

    Sun, Aug 17 2014

    Foundation stone only for publicity.to avoid blaming our railway minister.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sam, Farangipete/Dubai

    Sun, Aug 17 2014

    Mr.Ramanatha Rai looks like puppet and seems he s controlled by someone..!!!

    DisAgree Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prem Patrao, Olathe, Kansas

    Sun, Aug 17 2014

    Is this a joke? This level crossing has been a bottleneck for automobile traffic ever since Konkan Railway started. I think it was in 1991 (I may be off by a year or two). I grew up half a mile from this location and have seen the pains people had to go through to cross this track first hand. DVS and other politicians were gheraoed 6 years ago when a woman in labor could not get to the hospital due to the railway signal. After 23 years of enduring this pain, someone lays a foundation stone for the underbridge and everyone seems so happy? Where's the apathy for the pain suffered through all these years? Trust me, this underbridge will not be constructed for another 23 years. DVS and his successors will use some "technical" problem as the excuse but will still get re-elected.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • joy fernandes, mlore/blore

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    During the tenure of Oscar fernandes,our erstwhile union Minister of Highways, did nothing and we did not get the much required flyover at Nanthoor cross commissioned. I hope this project will see some light now as it is causing a lot of hardships

    DisAgree [1] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    During monsoons will you construct an over bridge ...

    DisAgree [8] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mahendra Shetty, Mumbai Mangalore

    Sat, Aug 16 2014


    ANY WORK WHICH IS HELPFUL TO PUBLIC IS NOT CONSIDERED AS A BIG OR SMALL...SOME FOOL MINDED PEOPLE THINK THAT WAY.....

    PREVIOUS RAIL MINISTER FROM CHANDIGARH LOOTED RAIL AND IS IN PERMANENT REST.......THESE PEOPLE BORN TO LOOT ONLY.......

    DisAgree [5] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • V..D..K, Mangalore / Dubai

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    mahendra ..DVS has done a good job no doubt..now he is a minister for entire country...let him do the job and keep on doing ..what is the use of this show ! if BJP say it differ from other party let them be different and follow simplicity!! y all this adambara!!even earlier party did these sort gimmick..job would be appreciated by people if the result is shown!!after all no one is that dumb!!

    DisAgree [7] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • mohan moodbidri, moodbidri

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    Actually, flyover is much much safer than the proposed under bridge. How they will construct under bride in that area we can't imagine now, because height the railway track is very very low from existing road level. But anyway nothing is possible, I hope everything will be done smoothly & safely forever. Many many thanks to the Union Railway Minister & to the entire committee. How soon under pass will be open to public, let us see. All the best

    DisAgree [2] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • roshan, mangalore

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    This type of grand foundation stone ceremony happens only in india. People waste so much of money for publicity. Our politicians should travel to Dubai and check how things are done here.
    Hope this will happen in next 4 years

    DisAgree [12] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jawar, M'Lore/Mumbai

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    So we have to divide 5.61 core by 175 still we need a lot of production.

    DisAgree [11] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Amin Bhoja, Patte / Riyadh

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    Padil-Bajal under bridge, salient features missing a main point,the year of the project completion...?.

    DisAgree [11] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Chandrashekar, Mangalore/Mumbai

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    Hi,
    Congratulation, you are right, less talk more work and "Work is Worship"

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • vinaya, mangalore

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    Its a long pending project and i am sure Jalligudde people will have a smile on their face now as they suffered for so long 30 years without underground railway bridge.They had to wait for the train to pass for almost 15-20 minutes to come to mangalore via padil and specially the hot temperature months march to may, make their life miserable to stand in hot sun for 1-20 minutes.Hats off to Mr.Gowda for doing a good job.Sir pls follow up closely and keep up your promise that the underground bridge will be completed by february 2015.

    DisAgree Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Tom Cat, Mangalore

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    It is good to see BJP doing some development in mangalore which neglected by the sleepy congress.For a start DVS Keep it up. Nice to know that file pushing is effective now. Hope that Mangalore gets a separate junction.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    Union Railway Minister laying foundation for small under bridge - Kya Se Kya Ho Gaya ...

    DisAgree [54] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • RSRB, Kundapura / Singapore

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Better than Congress Union minister for Railways, who instead of laying foundation stones, put stones in all the railway projects

    DisAgree [6] Agree [38] Reply Report Abuse

  • JayaPrakash shetty, UK

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    Yes Dear Mr Saldanha, a small bridge which your Congress could not deliver in 30 years

    DisAgree [4] Agree [42] Reply Report Abuse

  • raj, Bangalore

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    Jossey...Again your chor congress party along with you will start protesting for completion of this project within 2 months :)

    DisAgree [5] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohandas Kapikad, Mangaluru

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    If the bridge seems to be a small project, why weren't your Congress do it in past 10 years ? Simply don't be jealous, congratulate our Railway Minister for his good work.

    DisAgree Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lingappa, Kuppepadavu/Amsterdam

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    Jossey would have been happy if it was someone like Raul Vinci Khan laying the foundation stone & Antanio Maino Khan eating the laddoo.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ayub, Mangalore/Dubai

    Sun, Aug 17 2014

    As a resident of Jalligudde, Padil I know the importance of that small bridge. Good work by Mr. Sadananda Gowlda we cannot take credit from him. We have to appreciate the good work no matter who did it. Looking forward more from you sir.

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jagdish, Mangalore/Bangalore

    Tue, Aug 19 2014

    Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai tumhe mirchi lagi toh hum kya kar sakte he.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Geethanand Shetty, Padil

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    Thank you DVS Sir,
    Really i appreciate you for your quick action. and also my big salute you and all the people behind this project

    DisAgree [2] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • VITTAL SHETTY, MANGALORE/ABUDHABI

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    Thank you DVS Saab

    DisAgree Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr S Kamath, Mumbai

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    Very small Project considering the CostBut most useful Still pending for more than 20 years So So sad .One example how DK is neglected .Well done DVS

    DisAgree Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • V..D..K, Mangalore / Dubai

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    all politicians!!karam karo phal ki chintha naa karo!!public hai sab janthi hai!!

    DisAgree Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Peter, Bangalore

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    For DVS what is the necessity of initiating such small projects..
    He is central railway minister not coporator...also is it necessary that every week you visit Bangalore , Mangalore ??

    DisAgree [23] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vikram Amin, Bangalore - Dubai

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    It is good to know that Padil - Bajal Underbridge project has been taken.
    Regarding new Mangalore Division It will not be possible for announcement of Mangalore Division since for a division to be operational minimum 500 Kms line is required. The only option at present is either merge it with Mysore division of SWR or with KR. DVS has already done ground work for merging from Thokur to Ullala Railway station to KR and moving of Karwar Divison of KR to Mangalore. He wants to be mum for the time being since these type of implementation will take time and according to sources it will be announced in the next budget.

    Regarding running of Kudla express in night it will not be possible since there are restrictions from HMRDA to run more that 1 passenger train in the night. As per contract with HMRDA max of 4 passenger trains can run in a day. Already 3 trains are running and Kudla Express will be the fourth one. DVS has already had a meeting with Commissioner of Safety regarding this issue and it is in Status Quo as of now. Moreover once the Shravanabelagola Nelamangala line is ready by March 2016 ( Deadline given by DVS) then the travel time will be reduced by minimum 3 hrs.

    Anyhow good to know that atleast initiation is taken by the RM and I hope in the coming months more will come with regards to Railways from DVS and the important announcement which everybody waiting is removal of Administration control of Mangalore Central and Mangalore Junction from Palghat Division of SR.

    Please note I'm a Rail Fan and I'm neither a BJP supporter nor DVS supporter.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • vivian Fernandes, Bajal

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    Padil-Bajal underbridge not only connects bajal but it connects to veeranagara, jalligudda, Ekkur, Jappinamogaru through ullal Bridge. Thank you everyone who put their efforts to make my dream alive. As my dad said when i was 5 years old this bridge will be ready after your marriage only and this became true..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse

  • Amin, Mangalore

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    DVS sir well done, we need 1 more mission to be completed i.e overbrigde near mahakali padpu. Really the website is so reliable and consistent it doesnot take more than 5 minutes to login now, well done.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dinesh Poojary, Kundapura/Bengaluru

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    DVSji,

    Mangalore Railway Division SOON please.... under Konkan or SWR...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • RSRB, Kundapura / Singapore

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    Lobo, Ivan & Rai smile please...
    Yaakappaa..? Hotte Kichchaaa?

    DisAgree [17] Agree [49] Reply Report Abuse

  • jeevan, mangalore

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    Despite being ruled 65 yrs dongi congi contribution for our dist is big ZERO... but i appreciate non congi man George fernandes & DVS...

    DisAgree [9] Agree [44] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dinesh Poojary, Kundapura/Bengaluru

    Sat, Aug 16 2014

    Thank you DVSji...

    You are the hope for us. Ensure new Blore-Mlore train runs during night time and extend day train to all 7 days of the week.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [49] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Mangalore: Dream moves closer to realization - DVS lays foundation for Padil-Bajal underbridge



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