Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Nov 7: Though named smart city and Mangaluru Central Railway Station upgraded to world class, the number of passengers on advance booking at the station has increased considerably of late, but only three booking counters for a city of this magnitude are available, making booking of tickets a nightmare for the passengers.

The railway station has seven counters of which only two or three function daily. Request by the commuters to open at least two more counters has fallen on deaf ears of the concerned railway authorities. When officials are asked the reason for not opening additional counters, they give lame reasons as insufficient manpower or leave of booking counter employees.

Naresh Nambiar, 72-year-old commuter, says that the railway authorities ought to know that it is not right to make people wait for endless hours to book tickets. Hemalatha, with a baby in hand and managing another toddler in a resentful voice said, "I have been waiting here for 35 minutes."

Mangaluru Central Railway Station lacks basic infrastructure facilities. Due to non-availability of sufficient platforms, important trains are unabe to enter the station. Also, there is no provision of a toilet for passengers outside the railway station.