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Kaup: Long-standing demands by residents and the public to upgrade the Padubidri railway station located in Belapu village are beginning to see progress.

After nearly three decades of sustained efforts seeking halts for Mumbai- and Bengaluru-bound trains, the Railways has started work on expanding the station platform as part of plans to upgrade the facility. Alongside this, the Belapu Gram Panchayat, using CSR funds from Adani-UPCL, has taken up concreting of the road connecting the Paniyooru–Kunjuru railway bridge to the station at a cost of Rs 40 lakh. Solar streetlights are also being installed on the station approach road.

Platform to be extended by 300 metres

The existing platform at Padubidri railway station is 307 metres long. It is now being extended by an additional 300 metres. The expansion will include shelters, drinking water facilities, seating arrangements for passengers and pedestrian pathways. As express trains generally require platforms of 400–500 metres in length, the extension is expected to make the station suitable for halts of Mumbai and Bengaluru express trains.

Useful for people from several villages

Belapu village is developing rapidly. A polytechnic college has started near the railway station, while construction of a modern science research centre and a Maulana Azad residential school is in progress. An industrial park has been developed, and Jaranday Lake has been upgraded as a tourist spot. Major projects such as UPCL, Padur crude oil facilities and Suzlon are functioning in nearby areas.

The railway station has road connectivity from four directions and is expected to benefit workers from North India and Maharashtra employed in local industries, providing them with better rail access.

Resolutions passed by several local bodies

A large number of residents from Kaup taluk work as hotel owners and workers in Mumbai and Bengaluru. To meet their travel needs, nearby gram panchayats and the Kaup municipal council had passed resolutions urging the Centre and the state government to allow express train halts at Belapu station.

Sudina report

Udayavani had repeatedly highlighted the mismanagement and lack of basic infrastructure at the Padubidri railway station through special reports. Responding to this, the gram panchayat has now taken up road development and installation of solar streetlights. Through the platform expansion, Udayavani has also opened up the possibility of halts for Mumbai–Bengaluru trains. People have expressed appreciation for the newspaper’s public-oriented concern.

Continuous efforts underway

• Memoranda have been submitted to several railway ministers, including former prime ministers H D Deve Gowda, George Fernandes, Mallikarjun Kharge, Lalu Prasad Yadav and D V Sadananda Gowda.

• From the beginning, there has been a sustained struggle demanding halts for Mumbai and Bengaluru express trains. Hundreds of people had participated in rail roko protests. Officials had also conducted surveys.

• Under the leadership of gram panchayat president Dr Deviprasad Shetty, representations along with statistical data were submitted to MP Kota Srinivas Poojary and MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty.

• MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty submitted a representation to Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna and, along with MP Kota Srinivas Poojary, also met Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Assurance on train halts:

MP Kota Srinivas Poojary and MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty have taken special interest and succeeded in upgrading the station. They have also given assurance about halts for three express trains, including Mumbai and Bengaluru services. If implemented, this will be a major benefit for local residents living in Mumbai and Bengaluru, said Dr Deviprasad Shetty, Belapu, president, Belapu Gram Panchayat and Railway Struggle Committee.

Pressure on Union ministers

 Gurme Suresh Shetty, MLA, Kaup said "We had discussed the people’s demands with the railway ministers. Now, approval has been given to start the platform expansion work. Assurance has also been received regarding the possibility of halts for Mumbai and Bengaluru trains. Along with MP Kota Srinivas Poojary, we will again exert pressure on the Union railway minister on this matter".