Mangaluru
The reintroduction of the Mangaluru-Subrahmanya passenger train has been urged by Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta. During the Parliament session, it was informed that a metre gauge train previously ran from the district headquarters to Subrahmanya Road, which was converted to broad gauge in 2005. The service was then discontinued.
Currently, train number 056645 runs from Mangaluru to Kabaka Puttur. The railway minister was urged to reinstate the service from Mangaluru to Subrahmanya Road, which would benefit students and the public as the only passenger train in the district.
In response, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw requested a separate discussion on the issue and assured that every project and train issue could be addressed separately.
MP Captain Chowta also met BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Robert J Ravi and Udupi-Chikkamagalur MP Kota Srinivas Poojary in Delhi. Issues regarding BSNL connectivity, especially in the Sullia region, were discussed. The provision of various supplies at the existing station and the installation of an additional tower in the region were requested.
Additionally, the need for improvement of a stretch of NH66 from BC Road to Surathkal was addressed. In a letter to Vinay Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, it was noted that this stretch sees local traffic, cargo shipment, and highway traffic. The provision of a service road on the same stretch to ease traffic movement for locals was requested.
