Multi-use building to light up grim Okalipuram entrance

The building will have two floors and will house ticket counters, platform ticket vending machines, waiting area for passengers and food stalls.

For the first time, Railways is devoting the underground area for parking. There is already an open car parking space. In addition to this, the Railways will be providing premium car space in the underground area.

“It is not mandatory to use this parking space. But if anyone wants to, they can pay some amount and utilise it,” a senior Railways officer said. Budget constraints had stalled the construction for a while, but now the project has picked up pace and is expected to be completed in March 2012.

According to the original plan, the building was supposed to have five floors. Presently, the Railways will construct only the ground and the first floor.

Additional floors will be added in accordance to the requirements. The construction expense of the building is estimated to be around Rs five crore.

Increase in passenger flow

The building plan was mooted more than three years ago in view of the increasing number of passengers who embark on trains from platforms 7, 8 and 9.

The entrance also serves passengers travelling to Mysore, Hubli and Shimoga. The small number of ticket counters functioning at the entrance at present face tremendous rush. The new building with separate counters for unreserved and reserved , is expected to ease this rush.

The plans to upgrade the City railway station has run into a lot of obstacles. The Railways is trying its best to come up with better facilities within the existing area.

A road is also being constructed to connect the Okalipuram entrance to the exit on the main entrance to the Railway station.