Passengers demand train stoppages, ramp at Kengeri station

Passengers, travelling on Bengaluru-Mysuru line, have sought stoppages of trains on Platform Number 1 at Kengeri station.

Speaking to South Western Railways (SWR) officials, on an inspection, they also demanded ramp be built for physically challenged to enable them have easy access to Kengeri Station.

South Western Railway General Manager P K Saxena, along with other officials, who conducted the inspection, received representations from passengers and other stakeholders, regarding amenities they want.

The officials, as part of annual inspection of stations, are also visiting other stations under the jurisdictions of South Western Railway(SWR) including Tumakuru, Mysuru, Ramanagara besides Bengaluru stations.

Meanwhile, though electrification of Bengaluru-Mysuru line was fast nearing completion, sources say, it has been over a year that Railway Board is yet to give approval of deviation on some stretches on the section where clearance for electricity lines of the railways is less because of overhead high tension wires.

Only after Railway Board clears it, the matter will be sent to Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) for safety procedures.

‘Electrification took 8 yrs’
The electrification of the line has taken almost eight years, an official said.
Likewise, demand for extension of Bengaluru-Ramanagara MEMU train, announced in the railway budget this year, till Whitefield, has gained further momentum.

However, with the train yet to start, officials fear, it could be embarrassing for railways, as it was announced by Sadananda Gowda when he was railway minister.