Two new trains, both from Hubballi, one to tourist destination Mysuru and the other to pilgrim centre Varanasi, were flagged off at the Hubballi Railway Station through a video link from New Delhi by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Tuesday.
As Mr. Suresh Prabhu, accompanied by Railway Board members, flagged off the trains by waving the green flag, MP from Dharwad Pralhad Joshi, accompanied by MLA Prasad Abbayya, Mayor D.K. Chavan and others, too waved the green flag to signal the start of the new services.
Among others, the former Rajya Sabha member and veteran journalist Patil Puttappa was present at the event.
Addressing the gatherings at Hubballi and Mysuru railway stations, Mr. Suresh Prabhu mentioned the efforts of MPs from Dharwad and Mysuru in getting the new services started.
Mr. Suresh Prabhu announced that the Hubballi-Mysuru train would be named as Vishwa Manava Express.
Regretting over not being able to come to Hubballi for the launch, Mr. Suresh Prabhu said that he would soon pay a visit to Hubballi to launch another facility.
The Minister also assured that the State would get connected to all important destinations through the rail route.
Earlier, welcoming the gathering, General Manager of South Western Railway (SWR) A.K. Gupta said that the Hubballi-Mysuru train would also serve as an alternative to the Mysuru-Bengaluru Chamundi Express and the Bengaluru-Dharwad Intercity Express which were running to full capacity.
On the new train to Varanasi, he said: “At present, rail connectivity between Hubballi and Varanasi and Hubballi and Jabalpur is very limited and through two changeover points.
This train will ease these difficulties. In addition, the new train will serve the people of Vijayapura and Gadag region by connecting Hubballi/Solapur with suitable timings.”
Mr. Pralhad Joshi termed it a historic occasion as two new trains from the same place were being flagged off at the same time time.
He said that the direct train to Varanasi was a long-pending demand and that he was happy that now it had been fulfilled.
Mr. Prasad Abbayya and Mr. Chavan spoke on the need to further improve rail services from Hubballi.
Divisional Railway Manager of Hubballi Division A.K. Jain and other officials were present.
