Palakkad division moots more passenger amenities at Mangaluru Central

MANGALURU: Construction of 14 bays of platform shelter on platform 2/3 and platform 1 at

Mangaluru

central station is in progress and will be completed this year, noted Naresh Lalwani, divisional railway manager,

Palakkad

division. In addition, new toilet blocks will also be constructed at platform 2/3. Repairs to road from Town Hall to Mangaluru central station, paving of parking area on first entry and new area on 2nd entry is also in progress.

Chairing the 156th meeting of divisional railway users’ consultative committee of Palakkad division at railway divisional office, Palakkad, Naresh Lalwani said Mangaluru central station has been identified to be taken up in the second phase for station redevelopment programme by union minister for railways. Regarding much needed Netravathi-Mangalore central doubling, he said the detailed estimate for the works has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 18.93 crore.

New work for additional platform at Mangaluru central has also been sanctioned in current year at cost of Rs 6.6 crore, which is also being planned with doubling work. The work is proposed to be started in late 2017-18 or beginning of 2018-19. The non-availability of additional platform and the doubling work is affecting ability of railways to start new trains from Mangaluru central and authorities are terminating few new trains at Mangaluru junction railway station.

Aiming to enhance security at

Kanhangad

railway station, Railway Protection Force, Mangaluru is conducting regular checks. Setting up a camp office of RPF has been proposed at Kanhangad station. At Kannur, work for resurfacing of platform 2 & 3 will be taken up during the year at a cost of Rs 1.4-crore. Detailed estimate has been sanctioned for this and tender will be awarded shortly. Construction of fourth platform has also been sanctioned at Kannur this fiscal.

On punctuality of trains, Naresh Lalwani expressed hope of positive improvement in punctuality, on completion of scheduled maintenance work planned at various sections of the division by June this year. About concerns expressed over death of wild elephants on track in

Walayar-Kanjikode

section, he said Kerala government has proposed to provide Rs 8 crore for raising fence on either sides of the railway track in the area and prevent such accidents.