Rail users have demanded doubling of the line between Mangaluru Central and Mangaluru Junction [portion, about 1 km] to reap the full benefits of the construction of an additional platform at Mangaluru Central.
The Union Budget has sanctioned funds for line doubling between Netravathi Cabin [Kannur-Mangaluru line] and construction of another platform at Mangaluru Central. The work is likely to be taken up this year itself and scheduled for completion in about 18 months.
Puttur Railway Yatrikara Sangh in its memorandum to the Railway Ministry and others said that line doubling between Mangaluru Central and Mangaluru Junction will facilitate the introduction of more trains towards Bengaluru and Mumbai.
Sangh convener Dinesh Bhat told The Hindu that at present, trains arriving at Mangaluru Central have to wait for over 30 minutes at Mangaluru Junction for lack of platforms and the line.
Mr. Bhat noted that the Southern Railway had denied the entry of the Mumbai CSTM-Mangaluru Junction-Mumbai CSTM Express to Mangaluru Central citing insufficient platforms. Subsequently, Mangaluru Central-Comibatore-Mangaluru Central Intercity Express was introduced till Mangaluru Central.
He questioned did the space constraint not affect for introduction of the Intercity Express.
The line doubling was initially sanctioned between Shoranur and Mangaluru Central; however, it got stopped at Netravathi Cabin itself for unknown reasons even as the line was doubled towards Mangaluru Junction and is getting doubled till Panambur, Mr. Bhat noted.
Divisional Railway Manager of Southern Railway’s Palakkad Division Naresh Lalwani told The Hindu that SR does not have any immediate proposal to double the Mangaluru Central-Mangaluru Junction line.
The line is neither saturated nor congested and can accommodate few more trains.
Even though new trains may be introduced after commissioning of Bengaluru-Hassan new line, it would not be exponential, he said and added the present line has the capacity to cater to those trains too.
Mr. Lalwani also said the congestion at Mangaluru Junction is considerably reduced following commissioning of Jokatte Station and would further reduce after Mangaluru Junction-Panambur line is completely doubled, including the Kulashekara tunnel.
