K. Jayaprakash Hegde, Udupi-Chikmagalur MP, said on Monday that he had urged the Chairman of the Railway Board to extend the Bangalore-Mangalore night train to Karwar.
He was speaking at the programme “Jago Sansad Jago” organised by the Udupi Consumers’ Forum, here.
Replying to a query by the president of Udupi Railway Yatri Sangha, Mr. Hegde said that he had provided all the details on the issue of extension of the night train to Kawar to the Railway Board. The Board would soon seek a report from the railway officers on this issue.
“It is necessary to first impress the officials about these needs before approaching the Minister. All efforts are on to get the train extended to Karwar,” he said.
R.N. Dias, president of Udupi Railway Yatri Sangha, urged Mr. Hegde to put pressure on the Union Railways Ministry to provide a halt to Kochuveli-Dehra Dun Express, Kochuveli-Amritsar Express, and Pune-Ernakulum Express at the Udupi railway station.
The president of Udupi district unit of Kannada Sahitya Parishath Neelawar Surendra Adiga urged Mr. Hegde to impress upon the Union Government to bring a national language policy as this might help in protecting Kannada medium schools. In response, Mr. Hegde said that a measured response was required for the problem, he said.
In response to another question, Mr. Hegde said that it was necessary to expedite the pace of the Varahi Irrigation Project in Udupi district. Salt water prevention vented dams should be constructed for all rivers in the district to prevent salinity in water.
Trustee of Udupi Consumers’ Forum H. Shantharaj Aithal pointed out that as per Consumer Protection Act, 1986, the offices of Union Government such as Railways, Posts, and Regional Passport Office should give a representation to at least one representative of Consumers’ Forum or voluntary organisations in their offices. But this was not being followed, he said. Another trustee Ramesh Poojary said that though the Forum had urged the State Government to form a separate Department for Consumer Affairs, the State Government had not responded to the proposal. The Department of Consumers Affairs continued to be attached to the Department of Food and Civil Supplies.
