RailEnquiry

Railways given two weeks to respond to the court’s suggestions The Karnataka High Court has expressed displeasure about the Indian Railways not providing an overnight train service between Bangalore and Karwar. The court said on Monday that there were two ways by which the demand of the people for overnight train could be met.“As of now, two possibilities are there: One is to convert the existing Bangalore-Karwar day train into a night train. Two, is to branch out the existing Bangalore-Mangalore night train — one to Kannur in Kerala and another to Karwar from Mangalore,” a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice B.V. Nagarathna said. The suggestion was made while disagreeing with the technical reasons given by the Railways for providing night train service to Karwar via Mangalore.The court gave three weeks time to the Railways to respond to the suggestions of the court while adjourning the hearing on a public interest litigation (PIL) petition. The plea was filed by advocates Shankar Bhat and others seeking night train service from Bangalore to Karwar via Mangalore and Udupi.During the hearing, the counsel for the Railways submitted that the route between Bangalore and Karwar comprises Ghat section in Sakleshpur and it cannot take the load of two trains at night. The counsel also said that branching out a train would leave a locomotive idle at Mangalore railway station while pointing out that there are enough trains from Mangalore to Karwar already. However, the Bench asked him whether providing good service to people was important or thinking about a locomotive that might remain idle. “All you have to do is to convert the existing day train between Bangalore and Karwar into night train. Or split the existing night train at Mangalore – one to Kannur and another to Karwar. Who will prefer to travel a whole day in train?” observed Chief Justice Sen.

‘Ignored State’
Justice Nagarathna said that Karnataka got a raw deal from the Railways in comparison to other States in south India. “Even though we have a Railway Minister, the neglect continues. Railways have given trains to those States that have demanded it. Just for the sake of one engine you can’t deny the service.”The Karnataka government, which has a share in the Konkan railways, has already supported the plea of the petitioners while pointing out that the existing tri-weekly Bangalore-Karwar day train is not convenient to passengers. The government has also pointed out to the court about 1,000 private luxury buses plying in this route at night indicates the need for the night train on this route.

Notice
Meanwhile, the Bench ordered issue of notice to the State government on a PIL petition filed by Vinutha, resident of Bangalore, seeking implementation of the Sarojini Mahishi Committee report.When the petitioner’s counsel told the court that as per the report all “D” Group posts have to be reserved for locals, the Bench orally told the counsel that it is not proper to dismember the nation as it is happening in Mumbai. “You can’t dismember the country like this We don’t want that.”The report, submitted in 1986, had made 58 recommendations but till today none have been implemented by the government, the petitioner complained adding that only 10 per cent Kannadigas are working in IT firms. She also sought an inquiry on employment provided in every sector.