HMRDC likely to develop Hassan-M’luru railway line

Mangaluru: A budget proposal by chief minister B S Yediyurappa on the Hassan-Mangaluru Rail Development Corporation (HMRDC) is expected to bring cheer to train activists in this part of the state.
HMRDC, a joint venture of the ministry of railways and state government, as per the budget proposal, is planning to make investments in 2020-21 to enhance the capacity of the rail lines in the ghat section between Sakleshapur and Subramanya stations.
Affirming the announcement, a senior official of the HMRDC, on condition of anonymity, told TOI that the company is aiming to become a Rs 500 crore net worth company by 2025, and will take up works related to state-of-the-art signalling in the ghat section at a cost of Rs 5 crore.
This will help reduce the block section, the official said, adding this was a long-pending demand that will help in optimal utilisation of the rail line and give scope for more trains.
Noting that the work will be completed in 3 to 4 months, the official said the company has taken statutory approvals from the ministry of railways to execute the work.
The proposal stated that this will not only enhance the speed of the commute between Bengaluru and Mangaluru, but will also help start additional rail facilities.
“We are striving to introduce both freight and passenger trains in equal measure, after improvement in signalling facilities,” the official said.
Acknowledging the personal effort taken by Aparna Garg, divisional railway manager, Mysuru, of South Western Railway in taking up this proposal with HMRDC, the official said this will be a win-win situation, not just for the company, but also the public.
‘Will help strike balance’
“HMRDC for obvious reasons has resisted introduction of passenger trains at the cost of freight revenue, and this new investment will help it strike a balance between the two,” the official noted.
Incidentally, the company with its vision to become a Rs 500 crore company, has stated that augmenting line capacity, vigorous marketing along with SWR, NMPT and MEL and tapping the commercial or tourist potential of the section as among its avowed objectives.
It is also banking on creative use of technology, taking up non-safety related works and identifying efficient methods and processes to reduce operational costs in meeting these objectives.