Second rail terminal proposed for Mysore

The Mysore division of the South Western Railway has proposed a new terminal at Belagola, about 11 km from Mysore.

Revealing this, Divisional Railway Manager Vinod Kumar said today that the proposal has been sent to the Railway Board for approval.

In view of the mounting pressure on the Mysore terminal because of the rise in the number of trains running through the terminal or terminating here, the proposal for a new terminal had been made.

"The railway authorities have enough place to set up the new terminal in Belagola station where freight-carrying goods trains are terminated. If this station is upgraded as a second terminal, it would relieve pressure on the Mysore terminal," he said, adding, it was proposed to terminate trains from Arasikere, Shimoga, and Hubli in the second terminal and all Bangalore trains in the existing one in Mysore.

He also announced that four new trains were likely to be extended to Mysore.

They were Udyan Express, Varanasi train and overnight trains to Talaguppa from Mysore and Swarna Jayanthi, which have a periodicity of two days in a week to five days.

This is expected to be announced by the Railway Board shortly.

Detailing the works proposed during the next six months at the Mysore Railway Station, Kumar said, it included a subway connecting all platforms, two escalators and lifts, commissioning of an integrated security system for safety of passengers and railway assets and finalisation of the parking contract.

The railway division has proposed to appoint Jansadharan Ticket Booking Sewaks (JTBS) at 23 locations (14 stations) to decongest the main booking offices and for easy dispensing of tickets in city/residential areas, automated teller machines at nine important stations, IRCTC food plaza at Arsikere, fast food unit at Hassan, 18 new catering units at A, D & E category stations, an Internet cafe at Mysore, Shimoga and Davanagere, and bathroom facilities for pilgrims at Subramanya Road.

Works in the division also included putting in place, comprehensive mechanised cleaning contracts at eight major stations including Mysore Junction, broadcasting of audio-visual campaign in cinema theatres and FM radio regarding safe crossing at unmanned level crossings, installation of 75 solar lighting at LC gates in addition to electrification and a drive by the RPF against carrying inflammable and dangerous materials on trains.

Vinod Kumar, who handed over charge to his successor Pradeep Kumar Saxena, outlined at a press conference the development works undertaken during his tenure of nearly 27 months as the DRM, and the action plan for the future in passenger-centric areas.

He said the survey work on Birur-Shimoga town track-doubling sanctioned in 2011-12 was in progress, while the survey of 110-km Shimoga-Shikaripura-Ranibennur had been completed and estimates were under preparation.

The survey for the 60-km new line between Baindoor-Kolluru-Halady-Hebri-Karkal-Moodabidri-Venoor-Belthangadi-Dharmasthala-Nettane was pending for clearance from the state Forest Department.