Mangalore: Proposal to Upgrade Central Railway Station to International Standards on Hold
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Apr 2: The proposal to upgrade Mangalore central railway station to international standards has met a roadblock.
At a meeting of officials of the railway department and engineers of the National HIghway Railway Authority (NHAI) and Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) on Monday April 2, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel informed that though the then railway minister Mamata Banerjee had proposed upgrading of Mangalore Central railway station to international standards, currently all attention is being given only to Delhi railway.
"However, pressure will be put in the parliament to facilitate the work," he told reporters while briefing after the meeting in DC's office conference hall.
He also stressed on the point that all works and proposals by Mangalore railway commuters have been delayed as Mangalore is not a separate railway division, but under included the Palghat division. He said that it should be linked to either Mysore or Hubli division as a temporary measure, and later made a separate division. Kateel pointed out that there was no coordination between Konkan, Mysore and Palghat divisions.
He further added that survey work for construction of railway under the bridge in Jeppu Mahakalipadpu road was to Rights company, and also, Rs 2.50 lac was released.
"However, the work was not carried out by the company, and a notice will be sent to them. If the survey work is not initiated within 5 days, legal action will be taken," he assured.
About water logging problem in Kenjar vicinity due to work on widening the railway tracks, the MP said that the railway department has been asked to take action before the rainy season starts. On the four-laning of NH 48 under Padil railway overbridge, he said the proposal has been already sent and the sanctioning process is under way.
Construction of foot overbridge at Bantwal Railway station has been implemented. He also revealed that work on building a 4th platform at Central railway station is under way.
During the meeting, the MP chided MCC engineers for not following up the works.
Dy speaker Yogish Bhat said that the proposal of road widening work from Garody to Kankanady railway station which saves two km for passengers is under consideration. As private residents are less in the area, the proposal can be considered, he said.
There were a flow of complaints from members of railway commuters' forum who said cleanness in Kabaka-Puttur train is not maintained. There was no water in Kankanady railway station, also, waste thrown on tracks in Central railway station has made it dirty. Also, in Kankanady station there are no lights, which causes problems to the passengers, they said.
Puttur railway station could be a model one if the platform extension among other works is completed, a railway department official said.
Proposal has been sent for the development of approach road to Subrahmanya railway station. Lights and platform also will be developed, it was said at the meeting.