The demand for special trains to Shravanabelagola during the 81st Kannada Sahitya Sammelan is gaining momentum. Charukeerti Bhattaraka Swami of the Jain Mutt at Shravanabelagola has urged the Railway Ministry to consider the demand seriously. He said that he request H.C. Mahadevappa, Minister for Public Works and in charge of Hassan district, to speak to Union Railway Minister in this regard. Speaking to presspersons here on Saturday, he said “If the State government takes up the issue with the Union government, things will work out easily. Meanwhile, Hassan district administration has written to the Railway Ministry to improve railway connectivity to Shravanabelagola to help those willing to participate in the sammelan,” he said. The sammelan will begin with a procession on January 31 and conclude on February 3. During the Mahamastakabhisheka in 2006, special trains had been introduced to Shravanbelgola from Delhi, Kolkatta and Mumbai. “If special trains are introduced to connect Shravanabelagola via Arsikere and Hassan, many people can easily reach the venue,” said Dayanand, resident of Channarayapatna.
