Several organisations thanked the Union government for its plans to run a new overnight train from Bidar to Bangalore, which is likely to commence operations in September.
“I am very happy. I never thought this would happen in my lifetime,” B.G. Shetkar, president of the Bidar Chamber of Commerce and Industries, told The Hindu .
He described it as “a revolutionary step that would not only boost Bidar’s industrial development but also increase the tourist footfall to the city’s historical monuments.”
But more importantly, it will improve the administration’s efficiency. It will enable senior IAS officials and Ministers to visit the district to monitor development programmes more often, Mr. Shetkar felt. He also thanked Railway Minister M. Mallikarjun Kharge and N. Dharam Singh, MP.
Srikanth Swamy, president of the Jilla Samagra Abhivruddhi Horata Samiti, said it would address many problems in the district. “It will benefit the poor greatly as trains remain the cheapest mode of transport,” he said.
Anand Devappa, Youth Congress president (Bidar Parliamentary constituency), said this was the result of Mr. Kharge’s relentless work. He was instrumental in getting Article 371 amended and has proven again that the Union government is committed to safeguarding the people’s welfare.
