Mangaluru/Bengaluru: Expressing anguish over the fact that a substantially funded rail projects viz Bengaluru-Hassan by the State government is all set to hit the tracks on March 26 while the Kudla Express seems to be languishing yet, rail enthusiasts are pressing for its early completion.
The Kudla Express (Yeshwantpur-Mangaluru Central-Yeshwantpur) had been sanctioned in 1996-97 to reduce the travelling time between Bengaluru and the coastal region but the project has now been stalled for shortage of rakes it is learnt.
Currently, there only one night train between Bengaluru and Mangaluru and a tri-weekly day train connecting the two major cities of the State.
Sanjeev Dyamannavar from Prajaa-Raag, a rail advocacy group while expressing regret that the benefits of public fund are not extended to the common man stated that the State government and elected representatives should urge the Railways to introduce Kudla Express on March 26 itself, adding that more trains should be introduced on the sector.
