The Hindu Business Line : `Hassan-Mangalore rly line to be ready by Feb'

THE Hassan-Mangalore railway line is likely to be operational before the `Mahamastakabhisheka' at Sravanabelagola in Hassan district during February next year.

The Union Minister of State for Railways, Mr R. Velu, told newspersons here on Wednesday that trial runs of trains are in progress for making the line operational.

The railway line will be operational by February, as the Mahamastakabhisheka of Lord Gomateshwara will be held at Sravanabelagola from February 8 to 19.

The Mahamastakabhisheka, which is held once in 12 years, is likely to attract a huge number of tourists from various parts of the country.

"Trial runs for goods trains are on at Subrahmanya-Sakleshpur stretch of Hassan-Mangalore railway line.

Some of the gradients on the stretch require the use of four engines to operate a train.

The train service will begin before Mahamastakabhisheka," he said.

To a query on the safety aspects on Konkan Railway route, he said steps have been initiated to prevent accidents during the monsoon.

Advanced safety devices are implemented along the route, and there is patrolling, he said.

To avoid accidents on the route, the Railways introduced monsoon timetable between June and October.

The speed of the train was reduced and the timings were rescheduled under the monsoon timetable, Mr Velu said.

Of the Rs 17,000 crore earmarked for railway safety measures, Rs 12,000 crore has been spent, he said.

On shortage of travel ticket examiners, he said recruitment and training are a continuous process, and are being done whenever required.

Asked if the Mangalore section will be included either under the Hubli division or Mysore division of South Western Railway, he said there is no such proposal.

At present, Mangalore is under the Palghat division of Southern Railways.

Mr Velu, who inspected various works in the Mangalore railway station, said that the basic facilities at the station are being improved at a cost of Rs 91.47 lakh.