JOIN USDRM of Palakkad Division Naresh Lalwani said that the Division has sanctioned a new platform for Mangaluru Central Railway Station.
He was speaking at the Divisional Rail Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC) meeting at Railway Divisional Office, Palakkad. The new platform will help in handling more trains. The preparation of a detailed plan for the 1.5-km long doubling between Netravati and Mangaluru Central is under progress. The new platform and the double line will ease the traffic congestion felt at Mangaluru Central.
Regarding passenger amenities, the DRM said two lifts are ready at Vadakara Railway Station. Further, tender process is on to provide lifts at Shoranur, Kanhangad and Mangaluru Junction. Each station will get two lifts.
The Division is planning for the installation of digital display boards at the concourse area of major stations to help passengers get information related to the train arrival/departure, he added.
To provide additional parking area at the station, the Division is ready to cooperate with voluntary organisations. On the issue of provision for an ATM, the DRM said the division will consider the proposal of banks that are ready to provide ATMs as per the policy.
Meanwhile, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Jerin G Anand said that various passenger amenity works are progressing well in the division. In this financial year up to November, the Division has spent Rs 10.06 crore on passenger amenites. The total budget grant available for providing passenger amenities for the year 2017-18 is Rs 17.28 crore, he said.
DRUCC members raised various issues relating to passenger amenities at the station; time table, stoppage for train services and so on.