Date:31/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/31/stories/2007053112890300.htm

Karnataka - Mysore

Capacity of Mysore city railway station being augmented

Special Correspondent

It will soon be able to accommodate 24-coach rakes at all its platforms

Project being taken up at cost of nearly Rs. 2 crore

More passenger amenities being introduced at station

NEW LOOK: A view of the Mysore railway station, which has acquired a spanking new look that has embellished its heritage appeal. — PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

MYSORE: The Mysore city railway station, which is being spruced up at a cost of nearly Rs. 2 crore, will soon be able to accommodate 24-coach rakes at all its platforms.

Divisional Railway Manager S. Chandrasekaran said this was being done to augment the capacity of the Mysore railway station to handle long-distance trains with 24 coaches.

At present, the Mysore station could handle rakes of 21 coaches.

He was speaking on the sidelines of a function to mark the inauguration of Automatic Vending Machines to dispense beverages, introduced by the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC), here on Tuesday.

Pressure

Mr. Chandrasekaran said that though there had been pressure to increase the capacity of the existing trains, this was not possible as the existing platforms were not long enough to handle 24-coach rakes. He said that more passenger amenities were being introduced at the Mysore railway station.

Further, the building and the premises had been given a spanking new look that had enhanced their aesthetic and heritage appeal.

The parking area has been shifted to reduce the congestion in front of the main entrance and additional lighting has been installed on the platforms. The stalls on the platforms have been relocated to provide more space for people to move about. The current reservation office has been relocated and additional counters set up to help reduce the congestion.

A cyber cafe has been introduced at the Mysore railway station for the benefit of travellers. There are plans to introduce additional amenities and comforts at the retiring and waiting rooms.

Mr. Chandrasekaran said that a few more ATMs would be set up in the main station building, while a food plaza and food court would come up near the advanced-reservation counter.

The Railways would seek the assistance of the Tourism Department to install a sign near the main entrance indicating places of tourist interest, as Mysore was known to be a major tourist centre, he added.