Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Feb 9: In an important development, a plan to start metro train network in second tier cities like Mangaluru and Mysuru is mentioned in the state budget that was presented by H D Kumaraswamy on Friday, February 8.

This will be a feather in the cap for this coastal city as it already boasts of very good connectivity through land, air, water and rail mode of transport. The addition of metro train will be a compliment for the growing tourism industry of the coastal region. If this materializes, then there will be no doubt that the city, which is termed as a 'Smart City' for the future, will grow in rapid pace.

This city is among the only few cities in the country which has all the three modes of transport. Though the city is limited to corporation area with respect to the administration, its actual area is expanding well beyond the city limits. There is a proposal to form greater Mangaluru also which will include the villages around the city, Mulky, Ullal town municipality areas and Konaje. It is estimated that another two lac people will be added to the population of the city corporation by the formation of greater Mangaluru.

Keeping in mind the pace at which the city is developing, it is demanded that metro network is very essential for easier and faster way to commute around the city.

The railway network project in the city was initially planned decades ago. In 2006, there was a proposal to build Sky Bus Network in the city. In 2008, when BJP was in power, proposal for a feasibility report on running monorail in the city was made. But both the projects did not take off at all. It is hoped that at least this time around the proposal turns into reality.