Hi-Tech touch to Mangaluru Junction

• Work begins on platform extension, lift facility

Mangaluru: Having earned the title of Swachh railway station, the Mangaluru Junction Railway Station (MAJN) is all set to go Hi-Tech. The work on platform extension and lift facility has already begun.

Since many years there has been an accusation that though the railway station’s cleanliness is well maintained, it fails to provide other essential facilities. Therefore, the Railway Department has come forward to give a modern touch to the railway station by equipping it with basic facilities. In this backdrop, work has already begun at the railway station since two weeks.

Lift facility

Several railway stations in the country have been equipped with the facility of escalators. But, the city’s junction railway station does not have this facility. Hence, the elderly and sick to forced to climb the stairs to cross over to the other platforms.

Many years have passed since the railway officials, passengers and railway staff requested the Member of Parliament in this regard. This demand has now finally received approval and hence work has begun on the installation of lifts at the 2^nd and 3^rd platforms.

Platform extension by 45 meters

One of the most important demands of the passengers was that the platform needed to be extended. This demand too has received approval. The work has begun on the extension of all the three platforms in the direction towards Mangalore central railway station, by approximately 15 meters each. The current platforms are 540 meters long and will be further extended.

Demand for even more development

Presently, work will be carried on the extension of the platform and lift facility at the cost of Rs 15 crore. But this time too, it is doubtful if the several problems within the railway station will be rectified. Of the many problems faced by the railway station include the roofing facility for the three platforms, stopping of prominent trains, direct bus facility for the railway station since it is slightly far from the city, separate waiting room for men and women, seating facility and the lack of parcel office at the railway station. Also, there is no ATM near the railway station. In this way, the railway station is plagued with several problems. Hence, the passengers are requesting that the railway department needs to take notice of these issues and solved them.

No recognition for Kannada

There is an accusation that apparently there is no staff at the railway station who can converse fluently in Kannada. The department needs to take notice of this problem and provide a suitable solution to it.

Work to be completed by December

“In the first phase, the work will be carried on the platform extension and lift facility at the cost of Rs 15 crore. Later, there are thoughts for a foot over bridge at the railway station. Amidst this, action will be taken to solve the problems within the railway station,” said Sushil, Station Master, MAJN.

Article by Prajna Shetty translated to English by Aaron Dmello