Train extension to Bidar sparks a pole code violation dispute

Kalaburagi: There has been debate regarding the expansion of the Kalaburagi-Bengaluru-Kalaburagi train (06597/06598) to Bidar. A consortium of entrepreneurs and advocates has filed a grievance with the Election Commission of India (ECI), contending that this action by South Western Railway (SWR) has the potential to influence voters in Bidar. Additionally, they have said that SWR should be allowed to operate one more train to Bidar provided there is no evidence of a breach of the model code of conduct (MCC).

The national industries and commerce committee head of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, Amarnath Patil, told TOI that he had filed a complaint with the ECI on April 20 and that he had also submitted a copy to the Railways Ministry in Delhi.

Train extension to Bidar sparks a pole code violation dispute
However, railway officials have reasoned that the main goal of the service expansion was to reduce summer traffic.

“We filed the complaint with the District Election Officer on Sunday as per ECI’s recommendation. The decision to prolong the train is cause for great worry as it seems to be an effort to sway voters in the Lok Sabha seat of Bidar. In order to guarantee a fair election process, ECI need to become involved in this, he said.

In addition to signing the appeal, MS Patil Naribol, the founding president of Kalyana Karnataka Pratyeka Rajya Horata Samiti, said that the Kalaburagi-Bengaluru-Kalaburagi train was announced on March 9, a day when the MCC was not in effect. “In order to ensure that Bidar passengers receive their allotted number of seats, SWR ought to operate an additional special train between Bidar and Bengaluru,” he said.
They both said that they had no political affiliation and did not object to rail services for their nearby district of Bidar.

Train No. 06597/98 is a weekly train on demand (ToD) that was first launched for Kalaburagi but was subsequently extended to Bidar, according to Dr. Manjunath Kanamadi, CPRO, SWR, Hubballi.
“An additional train with the number 06589/90 has been extended to Bidar after it was recently inaugurated as a summer special. The summer rush determines how ToDs are operated. In order to alleviate congestion in regular train general coaches and prevent general ticket holders from traveling in reserved compartments, SWR is operating a number of summer specials that are unrelated to the general elections, he went on to clarify.