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Karnataka Today newsletter: Bengaluru-Dharwad Vande Bharat Express trial run begins, and more

Based on a complaint by the employees’ union of the Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), Lokayukta officials searched the KSDL office in connection with alleged financial irregularities by the Managing Director and his team, on June 19.

A team of Lokayukta officials, led by Superintendent of Police K.N. Ashok, searched the premises, questioned officials, and examined documents. Based on the findings, a report will be submitted to the Lokayukta for further action.

Earlier in March, the Lokayukta police had arrested former BJP MLA and KSDL chairman Madal Virupakshappa, charging him with demanding bribes for awarding contracts for supplying material to the KSDL. The anti-corruption watchdog had also caught his son and KAS officer Prashanth Madal red-handed while he was allegedly taking ₹40 lakh at the KSDL office in Bengaluru. Subsequently, over ₹7 crore in cash was seized from Mr. Virupakshappa’s residence.

The trial run of the Bengaluru-Dharwad Vande Bharat Express began on June 19. The eight-car train left Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna railway station in Bengaluru at 5.45 a.m. The train reached Dharwad around 12.40 p.m. On the return journey, the train left Dharwad at 1.15 p.m., and is expected to reach Bengaluru at 8.10 p.m.

This is the second Vande Bharat Express in Karnataka, and the first to be running within Karnataka. The first was the Mysuru-Bengaluru-Chennai Vande Bharat Express. According to sources, the Railways plan to launch the service for commuters on June 26.

With delayed monsoon and deficit rainfall across Karnataka, the government is in a panic mode and is gearing up to declare the State as ‘drought-hit’. The south-west monsoon, delayed by a week, entered Karnataka about 10 days ago. Cyclone Biparjoy also sucked out moisture from southern India, causing a shortfall in rains, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast stated that Karnataka should get 96-104% rainfall this year. However, more than 800 habitations across Karnataka are currently facing a drinking water problem, depending either on tankers or rented borewells.