The Railway Budget for 2015-16 has no major new projects specifically for Mysuru division but emphasis is on providing passenger amenities and introduction of new facilities.
Divisional Railway Manager Raj Kumar Lal told presspersons that e-catering announced in the budget was already operational on two trains in Mysuru.
The facility is now available for Chamundi Express and for the Mysuru-Mumbai Sharavathi Express in the Mysuru division and could be extended to other trains as well. Similarly, Helpline (138) to register any grievance or complaint was launched at the Mysuru station on Wednesday, he added.Though Wi-Fi has been announced for B category stations as well, priority will be for providing the facility for all A category stations in the division which includes Mysuru, Davangere and Shivamogga town.
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Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVM) was also announced in the budget and though Mysuru division was sanctioned 27 such machines more than two years ago they are yet to be installed. But Mr. Raj Kumar Lal said ATVMs for Mysuru station was definitely going to be a reality in due course while admitting that there has been a delay. “The machines have been purchased and the electrical works are complete and it is a matter of time,” he added.
The security at the city railway station would also be shored up with CCTV cameras which will also come in handy to monitor the cleaning operations, he added. Kabaka Puttur and Haveri are two Adarsh stations in the division and a few more stations are expected to get funds for development.
Closing the unmanned level-crossing gates in the division is an ongoing process and there are 219 such crossing in the Mysuru division of which nearly 35 will be closed by the end of the current financial year, said Mr. Raj Kumar Lal.
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The division has received funds for completing the ongoing track-doubling work between Arsikere and Tumakuru and Chikjajur-Hubbali.
e-Catering already operational on two trains in Mysuru