Udupi: Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shobha Karandlaje on Thursday expressed concerns over increase in theft incidents in trains operated along the Konkan route.

Shobha, presiding over the DISHA(District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee), said number of passengers filing theft cases have increased when compared to the past.

Superintendent of Police Hakay Akshay Machindra said the theft takes place at some location and a case is filed in a different police station.

Shobha suggested installing CCTV cameras in the coaches or installing safety lockers inside the coaches to bring down theft cases.

She also directed the railway officials to ensure proper lighting in all railway stations, as passengers find it difficult to walk when the entire railway station is plunged in darkness.

The minister favoured a joint meeting of railways, PWD and Udupi CMC to carry out repair works along the stretch connecting Udupi and the railway station.

The cost, likely to be incurred in carrying out repair works, also needs to be estimated. Shobha expressed her objections to the Hejmadi toll plaza collecting a double toll.

NHAI spokesperson Manjunath Gowda said the NHAI had proposed that the burden of additional toll should be shared at Hejmadi, Talpadi, and Brahmarakudlu toll plazas.

The vehicles may have to pay an additional toll of Rs 20 to 25 in addition to the existing toll of Rs 40, he said. Deputy Commissioner Kurma Rao said that the NHAI had addressed only two among the total 30 identified black spots (accident prone) on the highway.

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Prasanna H said that under the MGNREGS, 963 footbridges were completed across the district. Shobha later told reporters that the Centre had released 25 lakh litres of Kerosene for fishermen.