New Delhi: Creation of new rail divisions for Mangalore to augment rail links with the port city, strengthening the commuter rail system in Bangalore city and few other pending rail and highway projects were taken up by former Karnataka Chief Minister M Veerappa Moily with Central leaders today.

During his meeting with Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, Moily took up the commuter rail system to Bangalore city, Gadag-Shollapur gauge conversion project, Kottur-Harihar new broad gauge railway line and Hubli-Ankola new railway line on joint venture and cost sharing basis.

The Railway Ministry has sanctioned Bidar-Gulbarga, Munirabad-Mehaboobnagar and Shimoga-Telguppa railway lines, the senior Congress leader said.

Moily, who is also Chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC), took up the issue of upgradation of various highway projects with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways T R Baalu.

They include providing a concrete road to a section of National Highway 48, strengthening of National Highway 17 and upgradation of Bagalkot-Bhanagar via Badami, Gajendraghad and Yelburga roads as National Highway.