Mangalore, Aug 15: Additional reservation counters will be opened in all those railway stations where it is required as per the demand, said Union Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa.
Addressing a press meet here on Saturday, he said that the railways do not make any partiality while issuing tickets and reservation of tickets.
Reservations
“Reservations are done on first come first serve basis. No additional quota of seats had been reserved for the Keralites nor for Kannadigas. Reservations are not restricted to one state or town but for the entire country,” he said apparently referring to the complaint that the railways has been making partiality.
He said that uniform decisions are taken on the development of a division.
“It is the railways which bond the people irrespective of caste, creed, religion. It unites the country due to its greater connectivity.”
Railway over bridge/Railway underbridge (ROB/RUB) have been sanctioned to the state with a cost of Rs 51.55 crore, out of which the State government will contribute its share of Rs 20.37 crore, Muniyappa added.
As many as 77 unmanned level crossings have qualified for manning and the work would be taken up for the same within a short period of time, he informed.
Station near airport
The Minister directed the Palghat division Divisional Railway Manager S K Raina to make a study on the railway station near Mangalore airport.
The broadguage work on Shravanabelagola-Hassan will be taken on a priority basis, he added.
Precaution
On the recurring landslides and flooding of railway track near Mangalore, he said “the railways has taken all precautionary measures to protect the railway passengers and railway property.”
Southern Railways General Manager Deepak Krishan said “landslide at Thokur was due to disturbance in the geology. We will ensure the safety of the train and passengers.”
The Minister also announced Rs one lakh to the team of railways of the region for making the dream of the region to a reality within a short period of time.
To a query on rape on a minor inside a train at Mangalore Central railway station recently, the Minister said passengers protection is taken care by the railway police. It is upto the police to have a look into the issue after the FIR is being filed.