‘Railway line between Hassan and Bengaluru to open by year-end’

The railway line connecting Hassan and Bengaluru will be operational by the end of this year, A. Manju, Minister for Animal Husbandry and Sericulture and in-charge of Hassan district said on Sunday. He was addressing a press conference in Channarayapatna.

Nearly 90 per cent of the work related to the railway line had been completed. “The work had been progressing at a slow pace owing to problems with the acquisition of land near Kunigal. As the problem has been resolved, the pace picked up. The Railways has said that it will be completed by September. In all probability, the train will be running by the end of this year,” he said.

With regard to preparation for Mahamastakabhisheka, the anointment of Gomateshwara statue at Shravanbelgola, scheduled for 2018, Mr. Manju said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had convened a meeting to review the preparation on June 29. Senior IAS officer Rakesh Singh has been appointed a special officer to look after the preparations, he said.

CCTV cameras

Reacting to a question on the recent clash that took place at a KSRTC bus stand in Hassan, Mr. Manju said closed-circuit television cameras would be installed at all important places across the district. The decision had been taken in view of the recurrence of incidents that pose a threat to public safety.

“I have discussed the issue with the police. Including bus stands, all important locations will have cameras installed,” he said. He added that the public should have informed the police about the clash, instead of recording it on cellphones.

District in-charge Minister A. Manju said that 90 p.c. of the work on the line has been completed