NEW BI-WEEKLY PASSENGER SPECIAL TRAIN BETWEEN VASCO-DA-GAMA AND BELAGAVI FLAGGED OFF

Addressing the gathering on this occasion, Suresh Channabasappa Angadi, Minister of State of Railways said that priority will be  given to connect Goa and its good to start this train , which was a long pending demand . He said that to boost tourism, it’s decided to give stoppage at world famous Doodhsagar falls for 10 days.

Minister said that priority will be given to safety, punctuality and cleanliness in Railways. He said that this train will also facilitate supply of fresh produce of fruits, vegetables and milk from Belagavi area to Goa. It will boost employment and business in these areas.

Angadi suggested  that some  Vistadome (glass ceiling)  Coaches shall be attached to this train  for facilitating passengers enjoy the scenic beauty of the Western Ghat section through which this train passes.

He said that in line with Prime Minister’s vision  of connecting people all over the World with Yoga, Railway is connecting people across the length and breadh of the country.

Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State of AYUSH and Defence said that with the introduction of this train, the demand of the people of the region has been fulfilled and hoped that this train will be regularized in due course and even made daily.

He appreciated  providing stoppage at Dudh Sagar Falls for this train, which was the dream of tourists.

Vinay Tendulkar, Member of Parliament, Rajyasabha thanked Shri Suresh Angadi for introducing train service between Vasco da gama and Belagavi which will be greatly beneficial for transporting daily commodities needed by Goa from Belagavi.

  Ajay Kumar Singh, General Manager of South Western Railway briefed about the various works under taken by SWR in Goa region and features of the special train    Alina Saldana, Member of Legislative Assembly of Cortalim, Jose Alemida, Member of Legislative Assembly of Vasco da gama and others were present.

Later,  Suresh Angadi opened the Dudhsagar Falls Halt station where stoppage has been provided for this newly introduced train on experimental basis from 06th September, 2019 to 15th September, 2019.  The experimental stoppage will be continued further based on review.

The Dudhsagar Waterfalls is located in the Branganza Ghat.  The Braganza ghat stretch is a 26 KMs hill section connecting the coastal Goa to the hinterlands of Karnataka. It has 3 stations enroute, Caranzol, Dudhsagar and Sonalium. It is one of the most treacherous section of the Indian railways with a ruling gradient of 1 in 37, comprising of 16 tunnels and 69 sharp curves.

It has an annual rainfall of about 6500 mm.  The steep ruling gradient requires it to use banker locomotives for upward movement of trains in the ghats.  It is also one of the oldest operational route with meter gauge line commissioned in 1887 which was converted into broad gauge in 1996.

Surrounded by  deciduous forest with rich bio diversity, it is one of the most difficult sections in Indian Railways requiring tireless day night efforts for maintenance.

Dudhsagar falls which translates to sea of milk is located on the Mandovi river in the state of Goa.  It is a four tiered water fall which also forms the boundary between Goa and Karnataka state.  With a height of 310 mtrs (1017 ft.) it is one of the tallest falls in India.

It has an average width of 30 mtrs.  Dudhsagar Falls is located in the Bhagawan Mahavir Sanctuary and Mollem National Park in the Braganza Ghats stretch of the Western Ghats.

Suresh Angadi traveled by inaugural special from Vasco and Belagavi and interacted with public at stations  where train stopped.  Angadi inspected the section from Vasco to Kulem and has reviewed the progress of doubling work in the section