Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (RJP)

Bengaluru, Nov 2: Central railway minister D V Sadananda Gowda has revealed that the much awaited Bengaluru-Hassan-Mangaluru direct train service will be available for passengers from the year 2016.

Gowda was speaking during the launching of three new trains from Yeshwantpur in Bengaluru on the Karnataka Rajyotsava day. They were part of the 8 train services planned to be flagged off from the state.

Ananth Kumar, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers was also present on the occasion.

“The Bengaluru-Hassan-Mangaluru line which is much awaited has already been allotted funds in the budget and should be completed soon. Rs. 150 crore will be spent for the project.” Gowda said.

He also said that 21 new train services have been launched so far and by the end of 2017, 70% of the train services in Karnataka will run on electricity.

Gowda on the same occasion said that Bengaluru Mangaluru service through Mysore will start soon after completion of pending work.

To keep the railway stations clean, Gowda said that the prime minister’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan needs to be followed strictly. “People should consider the trains their second home and make an attempt not to dirty it,” he said.