Wednesday, December 28 2005 17:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mangalore: Union Minister of State for Railways, R Velu today (Dec 28, 2005) said the passenger service between Mangalore and Bangalore would commence from February.

Speaking to reporters at the Mangalore railway station on his way to Kollur, Velu said the gauge conversion work had already been completed between Subramanya and Sakleshpur and a goods train would be run on a trial basis shortly to stabilise the track.

The passenger service would begin before 'Mahamasthakabisheka', head anointing ceremony of lord Bahubali at Sharavanbelgola, a Jain Piligrim Centre, to help the devotees to attend the event beginning in the second week of February, he said.

The ministry is spending about Rs 9.50 crore for providing better amenities such as re-roofing, drinking water and other developmental works in the Mangalore division, he said.

He said the ministry, under the Safety Reserve Fund (SRF) had already spent Rs 12000 crore out of Rs 17000 crore for replacing and repairing the old and dilapidated bridges.

Mangalore would have an additional direct train service from Thiruvananthapuram from tomorrow and it would be flagged off at Kasargod, he said.

Replying to a question, Velu said that there was no proposal before the ministry to change names of Mangalore and Kankanady as Mangalore central and Mangalore junction.