Hassan-M'lore train service soon

The much-delayed passenger train service between Hassan-Mangalore is likely to be commissioned shortly.

Indications are that the demand for the passenger service will be met within a month or so, most probably by September-end.

Though the gauge conversion was completed last year, only goods trains are being operated at present.

The Hassan-Mangalore Rail Development Company, which implemented the gauge conversion project as a special purpose vehicle, met in Mysore on Tuesday.

A senior official of the Railways told Business Standard a meeting of the HMRDC was convened in Mysore this time to exchange information on the project. "It did not discuss introducing a passenger service. The decision (on running a passenger train) has to be taken by the railway ministry," the official said.

The Ministry of Railways and the Government of Karnataka sanctioned the project which links Bangalore with Karnataka's coastal region, in 1994-95 at an estimated cost of Rs 300 crore with equity participation. The work was delayed following landslips in the Western Ghats' section in Subrahmanya and Sakaleshpur through which the track runs. However, it was commissioned after 12 years.

Though the Union minister of state for Railways had promised that the project would be completed before the Mahamastakabhisheka at Sravanabelagola last year, passenger train services are yet to resume on this ghat section on the grounds of safety. Prior to 1994-95, passenger services were run on the Hassan-Mangalore on metre gauge.

Since then pressure has been mounting on the Railway authorities to resume passenger services. Recently a delegation of Karnataka MPs and Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industries met Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav and apprised him of the situation.

The minister assured the delegation that passenger services would begin shortly on this section of the South-Western Railway.

The Railways are also said to be keen on passenger services as this would fetch them more revenue and are awaiting the green signal from the Railway ministry and the Railway Board.