Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, president, Indian Railway Board (Passenger Services), has said that the Railway Department would take measures to complete the ongoing electrification works of the Bangalore–Mysore line by 2014.
Accompanied by officials, Mr. Narayanaswamy inspected the facilities available for commuters at the Mandya railway station here on Wednesday and listened to the grievances of passengers.
Speaking to The Hindu during a press conference held at the railway station, he said the electrification works has been completed between Bangalore and Ramanagaram.
“The department will initiate measures to complete the project by 2014. The department will also take measures to complete the ongoing Bangalore–Mysore track doubling project,” he said.
Mr. Narayanaswamy directed the railway officials to maintain cleanliness at the railway station, besides providing water, toilet and other basic amenities to passengers. Stressing the urgency of preventing crime in railway stations, Mr. Narayanaswamy said the Railway Ministry will take steps to strengthen the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF).
He also stressed the need of preventing deaths on railway tracks.
Demands
Meanwhile, the former Minister M.H. Atmananda demanded better facilities for railway commuters. He demanded an underpass near Jain Street, an additional ticket counter at Mandya station, a waiting hall for commuters, direct trains from Mysore to Mumbai and New Delhi, train services between Bangalore and Mysore between 11.30 p.m. and 1.30 a.m., a multi-storey parking lot at Mandya railway station and a foot-over bridge near Bandi Gowda layout here.
The former Minister, who submitted a memorandum to the Indian Railway Board, also requested the Board to take measures to reduce the vehicle parking fee from Rs. 15 to Rs. 10 a day.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike district president H.D. Jayaramu had urged the Railway Ministry to withdraw cases registered against people who participated in the Cauvery agitation.
Also, a few residents from Srirangapatna demanded regular stopping of all trains at the station. Mr. Narayanaswamy promised that the department would consider their demands.
Land
The Railway Board president said the Railway Ministry will cooperate with the State in completing the ongoing/pending railway projects, if the local administrations provided land.
Mandya City Municipal Council president B. Siddaraju was present.
