Mangalore: The union railway minister D V Sadananda Gowda laid the foundation for Padil-Bajal underbridge at Kankanady here on Saturday August 16, adding a relief to demands of the people in the region.

After laying the foundation stone for the project, D V Sadananda Gowda addressed the gathering in the presence of Ramanatha Rai, minister for forest, environment and ecology, Mahabala Marla, mayor, Mangalore city corporation and Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP, MLA J R Lobo, MLCs Capt Ganesh Karnik and Ivan D’Souza, and Asha Thimmappa Gowda, president, Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat.

Gowda said that the project has lingered for several years due to technical glitches; however I gave top priority to this project and cleared the files within a few days, he said.

The state government will bear 50 percent of the cost, out of which a portion will be from the MCC, and the project will be completed and opened for public in February next year, as per plans. But I have requested the general manager of southern railways to take the matter seriously and see that it is ready by January,” he said.

Stating that his work will speak for himself Gowda said that, any file or proposal that comes to the railway department will be dealt or disposed off within 10 days and we have been delivering the work.

With reference to cleanliness, he said that it is not the duty of the department alone and the general public also should take initiative. He also appreciated the community aided railway department scheme started in Mangalore where teams from NGOs, Rotary, Rotract and other clubs and NCC members volunteer to clean up the railway stations in the city.

On the long-cherished dream of having Mangalore as a separate railway division, DVS seemed reluctant to commit himself and said that he was studying the feasibility of this move and had already held one round of talks with the officials concerned. It would take another six months to complete the study, he said.

He also spoke on various other segments such as the new instigation of online booking, security in the railway station, comfort and other prominent facilities.

Reportedly, the Padil-Bajal under bridge is learnt to connect Bajal – Padil road which is near Mangalore Junction Railway Station. The estimated budget for the project is Rs 5.61 crore, wherein the MCC has shed Rs 2,80,67,953.