Mangalore: Aug 16, 2014 DHNS:

Union Minister for Railways D V Sadananda Gowda has promised that the road under bridge (RUB) in lieu of level crossing on Padil-Bajal road will be completed by February.

Speaking after laying foundation for the RUB here at Mangalore Railway Junction on Saturday, he said that the long-pending demands of the people of Padil, Bajal will be realised shortly. Heavy traffic flows through the road and closure of the level crossing gates were causing inconvenience to the people.

Stating that the railways have given priority to safety, security and service, the minister said any proposal to the railways from Mangalore will be given priority. The Railway budget has earmarked Rs 1,400 crore to Karnataka.

The estimated cost of the RUB is Rs 5.61 crore. The project is being initiated on 50:50 cost sharing by the State government and the Railways. The State government had paid Rs 2.28 crore as its share. The MCC has paid Rs 51 lakh. The barrel length of the RUB is 23 metres.
Gowda said that mechanised laundry will come up at Mangalore Central Railway Station. Two escallators will be installed shortly at the Central station.

MLA J R Lobo said that the Railways should give permission for laying a road from Kulshekar to Kannagudde. If the road is laid, then residents of Kannagudde, Melthota, Saripalla, Nooji, Kandevu, Sooryanagara, Niddel and Ummikhan will be benefited. Without road, no vehicles ply to these areas.

Railway over bridge should be constructed at Jeppu Mahakalipadpu road beteen Mangalore Central-Nethravathi bridge B cabin. A railway under pass should be constructed at Jeppu Kudupadi. The Railways must allow the MCC to develop kutcha road from Kulshekar to Kongur mutt. The road has been used by over 400 families.

He also urged the Minister to sanction a railway crossing at Balluru gudde The Bollurugudde is unapproachable without the crossing. In case of emergency, people have to carry patients to a distance of three kilometre to reach the main road. People residing at Kodaikal, Nooji and Kannagudde require an underpass near Shri Vaidyanatha Daivasthana to reach their residence.

District-in-Charge Minister Ramanath Rai said that when it comes to the railway projects in Dakshina Kannada, he will impress upon the government to release 50 per cent of the cost of the project.

Mayor Mahabala Marla, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLCs Capt Ganesh Karnik, Ivan D’Souza, Zilla Panchayat President Asha Thimmappa Gowda, Southern Railway General Manager Rakesh Misra among others were present.

Courtesy: Deccan Herald