Mangalore, July 29: Discussing the progress of various on-going and pending railway projects concerning Palghat division of South-Western Railways, Member of Parliament Nalin Kumar highlighted the issue of earlier projects such as railway over-bridge construction, station maintaining and other renovation works with railway officials in a railway grievance meeting at kadri Circuit House auditorium, here on Monday.
During the meeting he mentioned railway over-bridges (ROB) construction at Padil and Baikampady Industrial Area and suggested to take attention about progress of four-laning national highways on those areas. He further stressed the cleanness in the railway platforms and stressed that every project should be people friendly. Meanwhile, to help the students and other passengers, he opined to change time of Kabaka- Puttur train.
He stressed that Panamur- Baikampadi and Jeppu- Padil work should take speed and NOC should cooperate in the Adarsh and Puttur projects.’ After coming to power, Palghat division supported very much in fulfil the demand of railway and in the next meeting progress work report should be in front of me’, he said.
Palghat Division Additional Division Railway Manager (ADRM), , Mohan A Menon said that the structural design for the over-bridge at Baikampadi is done, but not yet approved by Southern Railway and along with this pending cable network connection will be finished by August 15th, he said. Meanwhile, Officials from the National Highway Authority of India said that once the structural design for the Baikampady over-bridge was approved, work would begin shortly.
Highlighted projects in the meeting:
World-class station at Mangalore Central Station:
Menon said that Mangalore Central Station has been identified by the Railway Board to be developed as a Japan model world-class station and will be developed through public-private-partnership (PPP). The work has been entrusted to Kochi-based Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Ltd (KITCO), and further action will be taken on acceptance of consultancy report by authorities.
Padil – Bajal Railway Road:
Menon said that the board has decided to construct the under pass in Bajal and Rs.2.68 has remitted out of 5.60 crores. But before that foundation stone soil testing is to be done to check the quality of soil and once it done work will be in the process soon, said Moham Menon. On the matter, Mr Kateel instructed the Mangalore City Corporation to remit the balance of Rs 19.39 lakhs to the project at the earliest.
Construction of new platform at Mangalore Central:
For Mangalore Central Station, a sum of Rs 17 crore was allotted in 2013-14 budget for the construction of 4/5th platforms at the station to help the pass angers, Menon said Works such as development of a second entry to the station, a new high-level island platform, shelter for passengers, compound walling, pit line, slewing of washing line, dismantling of existing structures, signalling arrangements, provision for additional foot over-bridge and extension of second foot over-bridge have been proposed under the Pink Book 2014-15 at the total expenditure of Rs 16 crores, he said.
Pre-paid auto-rickshaw counter at Kankanady station:
The pre-paid auto-rickshaw counter at Mangalore Junction would be shifted from the present location after identification of suitable location and a shelter also had to be provided from the platform to the counter so that passengers could reach the counter without difficulty during monsoons, said Mr Menon said. Mr Kateel instructed the regional transport officer to issue a route permit for a KSRTC city bus trip from Panambur to Mangalore Junction during arrival and departure of trains.
MCC assistant executive engineer Naresh Shenoy, MCC Commissioner K Ajith Hegde and other railway officials were present among others.
By: Raj
