Train chugs out on Mangalore-Yeshwantpur BG section

Mangalore, Dec 8 (UNI) With the inaugural train chugging out on the new broad gauge track between Mangalore and Yeshwantpur today, the long cherished dream of the people of the area to travel by train to Bangalore, after a gap of 12 years, was fulfilled.

The inaugural special train was flagged off by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad from the railway station here at 1500 hrs. Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur and Union Ministers R Velu and Oscar Fernandes also took part in the inaugural ceremony.

The train would commence regular passenger service from tomorrow.

The new 55-km broad gauge section was a part of the 189-km rail line connecting Hassan in the hinterland with the gateway port city of Mangalore. The total cost of the project was Rs 320 crore. The 55-km railway line, with seven stations, 57 tunnels, 241 bridges and 110 curves, was commissioned in different stages.

The Hassan-Sakaleshpur (42 km) line was commissioned in January 1998, Kankanady to Kabaka-Puttur (44 km) in December 2003, Kabaka-Puttur to Subramanya Road (42 km) in July 2005 and the Sakleshpur-Subramanya Road (55 km) was commissioned in May 2006.

UNI