Title - Central on track to be world class

Mangalore Central Railway Station may get an additional high-level platform and a third foot overbridge if the proposals of the Southern Railways to add these facilities at a cost of Rs. 16 crore in 2014-15 are approved by the Railway Board.

The facilities proposed also include laying of two new lines and a pit line which would enable it to handle more trains.

The information was disclosed by Additional Divisional Railway Manager of Palakkad Division Mohan A. Menon at a tri-monthly meeting chaired by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel to review the progress of railway projects in Dakshina Kannada.

Mr. Menon said the highest amount of Rs. 3.75 crore was being sought for the construction of a new foot overbridge and extension of the second foot overbridge, followed by Rs. 2.70 crore for a 540m pit line (a track with a pit under it all along to clean coaches); Rs. 2.55 crore for a new 540m platform; Rs. 1.71 crore for platform shelter and vacuum de-watering; Rs. 1.35 crore for a concrete apron for tracks to keep them clean; Rs. 1.29 crore for office accommodation and store; Rs. 73 lakh for two new lines; Rs. 50 lakhs for signalling arrangements; Rs. 50 lakh for improvement to circulating areas and Rs. 27 lakh for a compound wall, among others.

He noted that proposals worth Rs. 17 crore sent to the Railway Board were not cleared for the year 2013-14 and fresh proposals are being sent with modifications for the year 2014-15.

Mr. Menon expressed the inability of Railways to extend the Mumbai CST-Mangalore Junction Express train up to Mangalore Central station owing to the crowding of trains during afternoons.

The station would be able to handle more trains when the proposed facilities are added, he said. Extension of the proposed push-pull Bhatkal-Mangalore Junction train was also made at the meeting.

Mr. Menon said Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation (KITCO) has been appointed as consultants for the development of world class stations in Kerala and Mangalore. KITCO had come out with perception maps and it would hold meetings with stake holders.

The railway manager offered to inspect the Mangalore Station with regard to complaints of failure to maintain cleanliness. He also promised to look into the failure of authorities to provide sign boards and application forms in Kannada under the Tribhasha scheme of the railways to include local language.

He said the problems regarding wrong location of the pre-paid autorickshaw kiosk at Mangalore Junction railway station could have been avoided had the Railways been taken into confidence in advance. With the railways insisting on shifting the kiosk to prevent movement of the public being hit, the introduction of pre-paid autorickshaw service has been delayed.

Proposals breakdown

Rs. 3.75 crore for developing foot overbridges

Rs. 2.70 crore for a 540m pit line

Rs. 2.55 crore for a new 540m platform

Rs. 1.71 crore for platform shelter and vacuum de-watering

Rs. 1.35 crore for a concrete apron for tracks

Rs. 1.29 crore for office accommodation and store

Rs. 73 lakh for two new lines

Rs. 50 lakhs for signalling arrangements

Rs. 50 lakh for improvement to circulating areas

Rs. 27 lakh for a compound wall