Mangaluru: Additional changes have been made in train services due to doubling works which is in process in between Mangaluru Junction and Padil Railway Station in Panambur Division. This has resulted in the cancellation of two trains on February 22, and it could cause delays in few other trains as well.

Passenger train cancelled: Two passenger trains have been cancelled on February 22 due to the construction of railway lines in the Panambur division. Train No. 56647, 56646 which passes from Mangaluru Central through Subramanya has been cancelled for one day.

The passenger train (56645) from Mangalore Central to Kabaka-Puttur will be delayed by 45 minutes.

Train number 07328 (Mangaluru Junction-Vijayapur Express) which is scheduled to leave Mangaluru Junction at 4:20 pm, will leave Mangaluru Junction at 5:20 pm (Delayed by 1 hour and 30 minutes).

The Ernakulam-Pune Express (22149) is scheduled to leave Ernakulam at 5:15 am on February 28 will be delayed by 1 hour.

Train No. 16576 (Mangaluru Junction-Yeshwanthpur Express) which is scheduled to depart Mangaluru Junction at 11:30 am, will leave Mangaluru Junction at 1:30 pm, said Gopinath, PRO, Palakkad division.

 

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Jaipur (PTI): Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Thursday urged the Centre to reconsider its definition of the Aravallis, warning that any damage to the mountain range posed a serious threat to the ecological future of north India.

Gehlot, a former Rajasthan chief minister, changed his social media profile picture in support of the nationwide 'SaveAravalli' campaign amid growing debate over mining and environmental safeguards in the Aravalli Range.

It was his symbolic protest against the new interpretation under which hills lower than 100 metres are no longer being recognised as part of the Aravalli system, he said.

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"The Aravalli cannot be judged by tape measures or height alone. It must be assessed by its ecological importance," Gehlot said, adding that the revised definition raised "a big question" over the future of north India.

Appealing to the Centre and the Supreme Court, Gehlot said the issue must be reconsidered in the interest of future generations and environmental security. He also urged citizens to participate in the campaign by changing their display pictures online to draw attention to the issue.

He said the Aravalli range functioned as a natural green wall against the expansion of the Thar desert and extreme heatwaves, protecting Delhi, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. Opening up smaller hills and so-called gap areas for mining would allow desertification to advance rapidly, he warned.

Gehlot also flagged concerns over air pollution, saying the hills and forests of the Aravallis acted as the "lungs" of the National Capital Region by checking dust storms and absorbing pollutants.

"When pollution levels are so alarming even with the Aravalli standing, one can imagine how disastrous the situation will be without it," he said.

Highlighting the water crisis, the former chief minister said the rocky terrain of the Aravallis played a crucial role in groundwater recharge by channelising rainwater underground.

"If the hills are destroyed, drinking water shortages will intensify, wildlife will disappear and the entire ecology will be pushed into danger," he said.

Gehlot argued that, from a scientific perspective, the Aravallis was a continuous chain and that even smaller hillocks were as vital as higher peaks.