MP Kota Srinivas Poojari seeks extension of Vande Bharat Express service from Mangaluru to Mumbai
Mangaluru (PTI): MP Kota Srinivas Poojari has submitted a proposal to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Railways V Somanna, urging them to extend the Vande Bharat Express service from Mangaluru to Mumbai.
The train currently operates between Mangaluru and Madgaon.
The proposal comes in response to growing demand from locals, traders and tourists that the service be extended to Mumbai, including daytime and sleeper trains, to improve travel options for passengers along the coast.
Poojari’s initiative aims to address this long-standing demand.
Officials noted that extending the service could provide direct rail connectivity between coastal Karnataka and Maharashtra.
The proposal has been supported by several local leaders and community members, who expect the railway authorities to consider it soon.
If approved, the extended service would allow passengers to travel directly between Mangaluru and Mumbai without transfers, potentially increasing ridership and improving access for commuters and business travellers.
Railway authorities are reviewing the proposal.
Local leaders hope the extension will be implemented promptly to meet passenger demand and improve connectivity in the region, Poojari told PTI.
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Former minister C M Ibrahim announces to launch new regional party for Karnataka
Kalaburagi: Two years after being expelled from the Janata Dal (Secular), former minister C.M. Ibrahim has announced that he will launch a new regional political party in Karnataka on January 24, reported Deccan Herald.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Andolana in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Ibrahim confirmed the birth of the new party.
The 77-year-old politician stated he would soon be meeting with other like-minded individuals to choose a symbol for the party.
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Ibrahim emphasised that the organisation would be guided by the principles of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
A veteran politician, Ibrahim served as Union Civil Aviation Minister during the tenure of H.D. Deve Gowda as Prime Minister and later headed the Karnataka unit of the Janata Dal (Secular). He was expelled from the JD(S) in 2023 on charges of anti-party activities.
His exit from the party followed sharp differences over the JD(S) decision to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the then state president of the JD(S), Ibrahim had publicly criticised the alliance, claiming it was finalised without his knowledge. He had also reportedly convened meetings of his supporters and expressed support for the INDIA bloc.
