Safety officials inspect Hassan-Belagola track

HASSAN: The railway authorities have decided to resume train services between Hassan and Sharavanabelagola which had been stalled since 2006.A team of 20 railway security officers inspected the Hassan-Shravanabelagola rail line and held talks with senior officials on Saturday and Sunday to restart train services between the two towns.The officials’ team, led by Railway Safety Commissioner D K Singh, inspected the track, stations and level crossings between the two towns, by travelling a distance of 59 km in a trolley.The safety team also directed the senior officials to identify problems if any, and set right the same, and submit a report to the central office.Railway officials in principle have permitted operation of train services between Mysore and Shravanabelagola via Hassan.Sources said that the train is likely to start the journey from Mysore at 7.30 am and reach Shravanabelagola by 10-30 am.The same train will start its return journey by 12.30 pm.The decision has been taken in the interest of tourists visiting Shravanabelagola, Halebidu, Belur from Mysore.A trial run between the two towns was conducted successfully on August 20.It may be recalled that the railway authorities had started train services between Hassan- Shravanabelagola during the Mahamastakabhisheka in 2006 which was stalled due to lack of commuters and non-feasibility.SWR TO RUN 2 SPECIAL TRAINSHubli: The South Western Railway (SWR) has decided to run two pairs of express special trains between Vasco-da- Gama and Velankanni to clear the extra rush of passengers.Train No 06903 Vasco-da- Gama Velankanni Express Special will depart Vascoda- Gama at 09-00 hours on September 3 and 8, and arrive at Velankini at 12-10 hours the next day.Train No 06904 Velankanni-Vasco-da- Gama Express Special will depart Velankanni at 14-10 hours on September 4 and 9, and arrive at Vasco-da-Gama at 19-40 hours the next day.Enroute, the train will stop at Madgaon, Kulem, Castle Rock, Londa, Dharwad, Hubli, Haveri, Davangere, Birur, Arsikere, Tumkur, Yesvantpur, Krishnarajapuram, Bangarpet, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Karur, Tiruchchirappli, Thanjavur and Nagapattinam.The train has 18 coaches: one AC 2-tier and AC 3-tier coach, 9 second-class sleeper, 5 general second-class, 2 luggagecum- brake vans.