Organizations send their demand to rail minister - HUBALLI

The pressure is growing on the Union government to complete the long-pending Hubballi-Ankola railway project by announcing enough funds in the next Railway Budget. 

Besides, various organizations have also demanded regular train connectivity to Mumbai, Chennai and other metros from Hubballi, clean drinking water in railway stations, and change in timings of some trains, mainly the Express train between Lokamanya Tilak Terminus and Hubballi. The reaches Hubballi at 3am and leaves Mumbai at 9.05 am. 

In a pre-Budget meeting called by MP Prahlad Joshi on Tuesday to receive proposals, various organizations put forth their demands. Speaking to TOI, Vasanta Ladawa, president of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that all hurdles should be cleared on priority basis to expedite the complete the Hubballi-Ankola railway project. "The Union government should hold talks with environmentalist who are opposing the project and clear their doubts to speed up the project," said Ladawa. 

He also demanded that the Hubbali-Bangalore double line, which has been approved, get the administrative nod and fund released in the next Railway Budget. "Hubli-Pune, Gadag-Solapur double line survey was also approved in the 2012-13 budget, but fund is not released yet. In the next budget, it should be considered," he said. The Ballari-Hospet-Vasco line electrification proposal should be approved in the forthcoming budget by earmarking fund for the project. 

CA Hitesh Kumar Modi, chairman, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Hubballi, demanded that the much-awaited project between Hubballi and Karwar be implemented. He also demanded double line track between Bengaluru and Mumbai, electric trains from Hubballi to Bengaluru and free transportation from main road to main gate of railway station for the elderly and physically challenged persons. 

M S Subhas, dean, Kousali Institute of Management, KUD, said that the Indian Institute of Railway Service should be set up in Hubballi-Dharwad. 

Joshi said that all proposals and demands submitted by organizations would be brought to the notice of the railway minister.



Source: TOI, 14th Jan 2015