Mangaluru: Southern Railways commissioned the Jokatte Railway Station on Sunday and this step is said to reduce traffic at Mangaluru Junction and also the waiting period for express and passenger trains to join the Konkan Railway or the Southern Railway network.

The Railway Station has two island platforms with a subway connecting them to the station building. The station also has a passenger concourse, waiting hall as well as a booking office.

As plans are being made to double the tracks between Mangaluru Junction and Panambur, Southern Railway managed to complete and commission a 5.9-km double line between Jokatte and Panambur.

It is said that the line between Mangaluru Junction and Jokatte has to pass through a 800-m long tunnel at Kulshekar and as per sources the tunnel work for the second line is expected to be completed in about 18 months.

With the Jokatte Railway Station operational, trains need not wait to cross borders of Konkan Railway or Southern Railway, thus reducing congestion.