Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Aug 18: Union minister for railways Suresh Prabhu on Friday August 18 symbolically laid the foundation stone for doubling of Netravati-Mangaluru section and for foot overbridge at Mangaluru Central railway station here through video conference from New Delhi.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel along with other dignitaries inaugurated the programme at Mangaluru Central railway station by lighting the lamp.
Addressing the programme via video conference, railway minister Suresh Prabhu said, "Today several projects are being launched at eight different railway stations across the state. Earlier Rs 835 crore was alloted to railways for Karnataka. The grant was increased to Rs 2,200 crore during 2014 to 2017, which means an increase of 163% from the previous government's budget. During 2017-18, the budget has been increased to Rs 3,174 crore. This is the highest ever allocation to the state. We sanctioned Rs 60 crore with which 10 doubling works, one electrification and other new projects were taken up.
"We are bringing in complete transformation in railways spearheaded by Prime Minister Modi. We need to make passengers comfortable in their journey and provide better quality of service, and we are directing our efforts towards this," he added.
Mayor Kavita Sanil said, "I congratulate the railways department for the initiative taken to launch two new projects in Mangaluru Central railway station. There is talk going on about developing Mangaluru station into a world-class station but so far not even foundation stone has been laid. I demand that this initiative is taken up and I also demand to make Mangaluru a seperate railway division."
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said, "PM Narendra Modi has a broad vision to bring changes in the railways, for which several funds have been sanctioned. Dakshina Kannada district has received Rs 1,500 crore in the past three years. Mangaluru is going to be a Smart City, and Rs 163 crore has been sanctioned under Amrut scheme. Padil railway bridge has also been completed, with the railway and the state government each contributing 50 percent of the funds. Jeppu Kudupady bridge will also be completed if the MCC allots land for it.
Responding to the mayor's demand, Nalin said, "Five stations including including Mangaluru have been identified under PPP model to be developed into world-class railway stations. The state government needs to provide 40 acres of land for the purpose, and once this is done, within one year foundation stone will be laid for the project. There have been a lot of demands from the people of Mangaluru with regard to railways, we will look into them and sort them out at the earliest."
New foot overbridge at Mangaluru Central
The proposed foot overbridge will connect platforms 1 with 2/3 and will measure 25 metres in length and 3 metres in width. The total cost of the project has been estimated at Rs 90 lac.
The overbridge will have fully covered structure, protecting users from sun and rain. After the development of the proposed 4th platform, this foot overbridge can be extended from platform 2/3 to the second entry. The project will be executed by the Pallakkad division of Southern Railway.
Nethravati-Mangaluru Central double line
The project of doubling the 1.5 km long stretch of Nethravati to Mangaluru Central was sanctioned by the ministry of railway in the year 2016-17. The detailed project report has been submitted to the railway board. It also involves modification of two road overbridges. The project is expected to cost Rs 28.03 crore.
The project to construct an additional platform line at Mangaluru Central station has been sanctioned during 2017-18 at a cost of Rs 6.8 crore.