M’lore to B’lore in 8 hrs?

MANGLORE: The journey between Mangalore-Bangalore need not be an arduous 12 hours when the Hassan Bangalore line via Shravanabelagola gets commissioned. The journey time will be cut short by 3-4 hours, says K H Muniyappa, Union minister of state for railways.
In future, the train timings may be adjusted in such a way that the train can leave Mangalore central at 10pm and reach Bangalore by 6am (travel time 8 hours), instead of the present timings where the train leaves at 7.45pm to reach Bangalore (Yeshwantpur) at 7.45am (travel time 12 hours).
Though Muniyappa assured that the line will be commissioned fast, the ground reality with regard to work is different. The Hassan-Shravanabelagola line has been commissioned.
Adesh Sharma, chief administrative officer (construction) of South Western Railway (SWR), told TOI that he cannot give a definite time frame as to when the work will be completed and the 140-km Shravanabelagola -Bangalore line will be commissioned as land is still a problem. “The available land is not in contiguous stretches. There are land issues at Kunigal, Solur and BG Nagar,’’ he said, adding that the state government is serious about this issue.
“Funds are no issue. We are having monthly meeting with the state revenue secretary and they have assured all possible help,” he added. Currently, trains to Bangalore from the coast take the circuitous route — either via Mysore or Arasikere – and involves engine reversals. “If not 3-4 hours, definitely the journey time can be cut short by 2 hours,’’ Sharma said.