Karnataka: Hubballi-Varanasi train service likely to be extended to 3 days a week

New Delhi/Bengaluru, Aug 12 (IANS) Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has assured that the Hubballi-Varanasi train service will soon be extended to three days a week, providing greater convenience to people from North Karnataka travelling to Varanasi during the auspicious Shravan month.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi met Vaishnaw in New Delhi on Wednesday and requested an increase in the frequency of the Hubballi-Varanasi train service to strengthen connectivity between North Karnataka and Kashi (Varanasi).

Joshi highlighted that increasing the frequency of the train would benefit devotees from North Karnataka travelling to Varanasi and Kashi on pilgrimage, as well as tourists and people travelling for employment and business purposes.

Joshi also urged the Railway Minister to modernise and upgrade Hubballi railway station with improved infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities.

He requested the provision of several passenger amenities, including parking facilities, a shopping mall, a multiplex, restaurants and commercial outlets at the railway station.

Vaishnaw responded positively to Joshi’s requests and assured him that the Hubballi-Varanasi train service (Train Nos. 07323/24) would soon be extended to three days a week.

The Railway Minister also agreed to consider the upgradation and modernisation of Hubballi railway station in the coming days.

Joshi thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna for responding positively to the demands aimed at improving the convenience of pilgrims and passengers from Karnataka, particularly North Karnataka.

He said the increased train service would provide better connectivity for people travelling between North Karnataka and Varanasi.

Earlier, after taking additional charge of the Ministry of Education, Pralhad Joshi said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "placed full trust" in him and hence given him the new responsibility, while adding that he is holding back-to-back meetings to review all details regarding the education portfolio. 

Pralhad Joshi, who currently serves as the Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, took over the additional responsibility of the Education Ministry following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan amid nationwide protests over examination paper leaks.