Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Apr 8: Reliable sources have said that the Mumbai-Karwar super fast train, which was expected to be extended to the city as per the earlier indications, will not materialize for the time being. Although the railway ministry is in readiness to extend this train, surprisingly, the influential politicians of Uttara Kannada have been vehemently opposing this extension, it is gathered.
It may be recalled, that there had been a demand for the extension of the train between Bangalore and the city to Karwar. But, because of political intervention, this train was extended to Kannur in Kerala, although demand on this section of the route has not been good. At the same time, the fact that Kannadigas themselves are making all out efforts to subvert the extension plans of the Mumbai-Karwar train, has come as an unexpected development.
The Congress Party is ruling at the centre, and it is prepared to extend this train. All the members of parliament in the coast between Karwar and the city, elected from the Lok Sabha constituencies of Karwar, Shimoga, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada are from the BJP. It appears that the BJP leaders from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada have not been able to prevail on and convince their brethren from Karwar not to block the extension of this train. Perhaps, the politicians of Uttara Kannada are worried that the seats available for the people of their district will get pruned if this extension materializes.
The people of the region hope that the politicians will sort out their differences and pave way for the extension of this train soon.