Title - Lounge in B'lore, new M'lore train, rail projects for Karnataka

Proposed introduction of Bangalore-Mangalore Express (Weekly), opening of an executive lounge here and resumption of work on Chickmagalur-Sakleshpur and Bangalore-Satyamangalam new line projects are some of the key highlights of Railway budget as far as Karnataka is concerned.

The budget also proposed several special express trains from various destinations in the state.

These include Hubli-Mumbai (weekly) via Miraj and Pune, Jabalpur-Yeswantpur (weekly) via Nagpur and Dharmavaram, Madgaon-Mangalore Intercity (daily) via Udupi and Karwar, Mangalore-Kachiguda (weekly) via Dhone, Gooty, Renigunta and Coimbatore, Nagarcoil Bangalore (daily) via Madurai and Tiruchirappalli, Yeswantpur-Lucknow (weekly) via Rae Bareli and Pratapgarh and Patliputra (Patna) – Bangalore Express (Weekly) Via Chheoki.

New proposed passenger trains are: Marikuppam-Bangalore (daily) and Talguppa-Shimoga Town Passenger (daily). Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, presenting the budget in the Lok Sabha, also announced that executive lounge would be opened in seven stations, including Bangalore.

He announced resumption of work on new line projects of Chickballapur-Sakleshpur and Bangalore-Satyamangalam, which were pending for want of resources and other mandatory clearances, after Karnataka government agreed to give land free of cost and bear 50 per cent of cost.

Bansal announced setting up skill-development centres (to impart skills to the youth in railway-related trades) in 25 locations, including in Mangalore.

He also announced taking up new line Chickballapur-Gowribidanur, Chickballapur-Puttaparthy-Sri Satya Sai Nilayam, Gadag-Wadi and Srinivasapura-Madanapalli, adding surveys proposed in 2013-14 include Tumkur-Maddur-Malavalli and Tumkur-Arsikere (doubling) and Shoranur-Mangalore 3rd Line.

New DEMU services announced included Bhatkal–Thokur.