Mangalore, September 26: Speaking to the media, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Vaishali Patange of Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL), has stated on September 25th that, by December, the enlargement of the platforms at Udupi and Surathkal railway stations will be over.
Patange said, the platform at Udupi will be broadened by 10 metre from the current six metre. A direct entry will be made to the second platform here, as it will help the students who travel to and fro Manipal. The construction of connecting passage to the second platform is in progress and it would be completed in April. At Surathkal station, besides, widening of the platform to 8×30 metres area; the entry and exit terminals needs to be enlarged. The work has already begun.
Even though the KRCL, has asked the state government to shift the building of the commercial tax located near the entry point at Surathkal station, which frequently causes congestion; the government has not yet initiated any measures in this regard.
Bio-toilets: The CPRO said that Udupi, Surathkal stations soon will have bio-toilets. Currently eight stations under KRCL have bio-toilet facilities including Byndoor, Karwar and Thivum (Goa). The bio-toilet has been installed in the new building at Byndoor station and once the work of the building is complete, the same would be open for public.
Dual-Track: Regarding the track doubling, Patange said that, in the first phase of work, the Thokur-Byndoor stretch and Roha-Karanjade (Maharashtra) stretch has been identified. Doubling the track inside tunnels will be taken up during the second phase.
The KRCL has fetched record revenue of Rs 65 crore through RORO (roll-on-rolloff) service in the year 2013-14, where loaded trucks are directly carried by railway wagons to their destination. As many as 55,000 trucks were carried by RORO last year.
Silver year-25 years: The Railway Corporation will celebrate its silver jubilee year by conducting various programmes throughout the year starting from October 15th. Releasing coins, postal stamps in commemoration of the silver jubilee year are on the anvil.
CRPO said responding to a query, that in the last three years, no rain related mishaps had been reported on route during monsoon. Though KRCL has undertaken several safety measures to prevent any kind of havoc during monsoon, Railway Safety Commissioner has to consent to do away with the practice of changing train timings during monsoon.
Vaishali said that, on October 2nd, the corporation would go for a cleanliness drive a day-long, cleaning the railway premises, residential colonies and tracks. The KRCL employees along with the aid of NCC, Scouts, Guides and students will take part in this cleanliness drive.
