HC issues notices to Karnataka govt, Konkan Railways

The high court on Wednesday issued notices to the state government and Konkan Railways in the public interest litigation to extend night train services from Bangalore to Mangalore till Karwar.

Advocate Shankar S Bhat and others have filed a PIL. They have contended that there is no direct night train service from Bangalore to Udupi, Kundapur, Bhatkal, Honnavar, Kumta, Gokarna, and Karwar.  The petitioners strongly feel that the Union government and the state governments are not giving enough priority to the extension and maintenance of railway network in the coastal districts.

The petitioners submitted that, owing to the demand of the people from coastal areas, the Indian railway timetable committee comprising South Western Railways, Konkan Railway Corporation and the Southern Railway in its Meeting held on January 29, 2009, decided on extension of the Bangalore or Yeshwantpur Mangalore Express to Karwar.

The division bench headed by the chief justice Vikramajit Sen has issued notices to state government and Konkan Railways.