Naveen Menezes
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore
Mangalore, Jul 11: The incumbent union railway minister D V Sadananda Gowda (DVS), who, in the past when he was less powerful as a politician, led a series of protests to create a separate Mangalore railway division, has failed to fulfill the long-pending demand of coastal Karnataka, despite heading the railway ministry this time. This only shows the change of attitude with the change of position, say activists who have been fighting for this cause.
On February 10, 2012, Sadananda Gowda, who was the chief minister then, had also written a letter to the railway ministry (of the UPA government) urging for the same. Although DVS now enjoys the railway ministry to which he himself had previously written a letter, he has failed to act on it.
When DVS assumed the charge as the minister for railways, the hopes were high among the people of Dakshina Kannada. As D V Sadananda Gowda himself was part of several deliberations where this issue was discussed, the creation of a separate railway division for Mangalore region by separating it from the Palakkad division and bringing it under the Konkan railway network, was much expected in this railway budget.
Being the tail of Palakkad division, Mangalore has not been getting its due since long. Presently, at least 75 percent of Palakkad division’s revenue comes from goods movement from the New Mangalore Port. Sources in the NMPT said that the port is contributing Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000 crore as freight charges to the Palakkad division. This means, the creation of a separate division will also be followed with several benefits for the coastal people.
Hanumant Kamath of Nagarika Hitarakshana Samiti of Mangalore said, "D V Sadananda Gowda fooled the people by projecting himself as fighter for a separate division. It was just a drama in front of people. If he had real intentions to create separate Mangalore division, he should have done it on Tuesday (when rail budget was presented). It is shame. If Gowda visits this city, we will greet him with black flags," he said.
However, some feel that it is too soon to judge DVS based on a single budged and there's still time for him to fulfill Mangaloreans' dream. Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Mohhammed Ameen says, "This is just an interim budget. In the full-fledged budget in the month of February next year, we hope to see this dream fulfilled. The railway minister is aware of the issue and KCCI is pursuing this matter. Mangalore is an important station for the Palakkad with lots of revenue."
Perhaps all one can say is, let's keep our fingers crossed.