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Toranagallu-Bellary line transfer smooth

By Our Special Correspondent

HUBLI May 10. The Hubli Division of the South Western Railway today assumed administrative control of the Toranagallu-Bellary line, bringing an end to a long-drawn-out controversy. The delay in the transfer had sparked off an 18-hour "rail roko" by Patil Puttappa, Chairman of the Uttara Karnataka Abhivridhi Horata Vedike, and Vijay Sankeshwar, BJP MP for Dharwad North, on May 7. Contrary to reports of "technical and administrative problems" holding up the matter, the transfer was smooth and hassle-free this morning. According to Rajagopalan, Divisional Manager of the Hubli Division of the South Western Railway, the Guntakal Division of the South Central Railway faxed a message this morning of its intention to transfer the line.

However, he did not say if the transfer was so simple why it was delayed for so long. Mr. Rajagopalan said he could not say what had happened beyond the purview of the division. As far as his division was concerned, he said there had been no problem in assuming the responsibility. It was the Guntakal Division, which said that it was not ready for the transfer at the time of the inauguration of new zone on April 1.

Mr. Rajagoplan said that with the transfer of the line, there would be quantum jump in freight movement which would touch 18 to 20 million tonnes from the present seven million tonnes. Hubli Division would soon emerge as one of the dozen divisions in the country with the most freight traffic. The Hubli Division would bring in most of the revenue from freight movement while the Bangalore Division would account for the bulk of passenger revenue, he said. Mr. Sankeshwar said the handing over of the railway line to the Hubli Division was a victory of the people. He told The Hindu that he was happy the Centre woke up to the realities.

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