Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee convenes 142nd meeting

Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee convenes 142nd meeting

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 29, 2010: The Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee of Palakkad Division (DRUCC) convened its 142nd meeting at the Railway Divisional Office. The committee comprises 35 representatives of the state governments of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka; nominees of MPs; representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, Merchants’ Associations, Railway Passengers’ Association, Consumer Protection Council, and others. Only 21 of them attended this meeting. Divisional Railway Manager Mr. S. K. Raina, who is also the chairman of DRUCC, presided over the meeting. 

 

 

Mr. Raina spoke about the various developmental works undertaken by the division, explaining that the division has spent Rs. 17.28 crore on providing passenger facilities at various stations during 2009 – 10. Work worth Rs. 4 crore was completed and work worth Rs. 86 crore is in progress during this fiscal year, he said and added that the division has set up 37 computerized reservation centres, 15 integrated passenger reservation system, unreserved ticketing system, and 51 unreserved ticketing counters. 

Mr. Raina also said that 16 Jan Sadharan Ticket Booking Sevaks are currently functioning to avoid rush at peak hours and that another will soon be set up. The division also has six food units at Mangalore Central, Kozhikode, Tirur, Palakkad, Shoranur, and Kannur. 

He also said that a second over bridge, a new booking office, and improved circulating areas have already been approved. An integrated security system worth Rs. 3.49 crore will soon be established. A proposal for installing passenger lifts at Mangalore is being heard, he said. 

At Kannur, work such as the construction of a second booking office, shifting of the reservation system to the new building, paving parking areas, and improving the circulating area is in progress. A passenger lift and concretizing of tracks in the platform are the proposed projects of Kannur. 

At Kozhikode, a new ticket complex and an integrated security system with bomb detection and disposal squad have been allotted Rs. 3.57 crore. The approved projects include passenger lifts to connect platforms, a new over bridge with ramps, and escalators. Projects such as a coach guidance system and concreting of tracks in platform area have been proposed for Kozhikode. 

The MEMU shed at Palakkad will be completed in Nov 2010, he said. The gauge conversion work at Palakkad – Pollachi will be completed by 2011. After completing the doubling work between Shoranur and Mangalore, the section will be electrified, a project for which Rs. 320 crore has been earmarked. 

The welcome speech was delivered by Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Mr. K. P. Damodaran; and Senior Divisional Operations Manager Mr. S. Subramanian proposed the vote of thanks.