When the proposal to develop the Tirupati railway station on the southern side by acquiring the TTD’s cottages and choultries gets sanctioned, there is all likelihood of Tirupati getting two more tracks and platforms to meet the growing number of trains criss-crossing the station.
The issue figured at the discussion the new General Manager of South Central Railway Ashok Kumar Mittal had with the railway officials during his maiden visit to the station on Wednesday, to round off his Tirumala pilgrimage.
On his arrival, Mr. Mittal went around the station, the platforms and passenger waiting halls, and expressed satisfaction at the upkeep and also announced a cash award of Rs. 10,000.
The General Manager was taken to the southern side, which has yet to see full-fledged development.
This entrance would provide easy access to the station for the residents living on the city’s southern side and reduce congestion to a great extent at the main entrance.
The Railways is learnt to be in the process of acquiring the landholdings to form a road parallel to the track, connecting D.R. Mahal Road and Rayalacheruvu Road.
Once the acquisition is over, there is scope for developing two more tracks for the station, which could meet the increasing number of regular and special trains introduced frequently to connect to the temple city.
Proposal
There is, however, no mention of the much-awaited world class railway station project, planned to be developed at Tirupati west station. All that Mr. Mittal told the media persons was that the proposal was still under consideration by the Railway Board. Divisional Railway Manager (Guntakal) T.P. Singh, Divisional Engineer (central) Pradeep Kumar, Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager Victor Babu, Sr. Divl. Personnel Officer Tamil Cholai, Sr. DEE Gopal, Sr. Liaison Officer K. Anantacharyulu and Station Manager B. Kurma Rao were present.
