Mangaluru: Palakkad division of Southern Railway Division is having two sanctioned work for construction of new platforms – one at Mangaluru Central and other at Kannur, said Naresh Lalwani, divisional railway manager, Palakkad division.

On completion, this will enable these two stations to handle more trains. The preparation of detailed plan for 1.5 km long track doubling between Nethravati-Mangaluru Central is under progress, Lalwani added.

Chairing the 157th divisional rail user’s consultative committee (DRUCC) meeting at Palakkad on Tuesday, Naresh Lalwani said the new platform and double line will ease traffic congestion felt at Mangaluru Central.

Regarding new station buildings, the DRM said the new station building work is in progress at Kannur, Tirur, Angadipuram, Quilandi, Elimala and Trikarpur. Regarding passenger amenities he said, two lifts are ready at Vadakara railway station.

Further tender process is on to provide lifts at Shoranur, Kanhangad and Mangaluru Junction. Each station will get two lifts as per this work programme. Vadakara and Thalassery railway stations will be provided with one escalator each by using MPLAD fund of MP Mullappally Ramachandran.

The division is planning to install digital display boards at the concourse area of major stations to help the passengers to get information related to train arrival/departure.

Jerin G Anand, senior divisional commercial manager said various passenger amenity works are progressing well in the division. In this financial year up to November, the division has spent Rs 10.06 crore on passenger amenities.

The total budget grant available for providing passenger amenities for 2017- 18 is Rs 17.28 crores, he said. DRUCC members raised various issues relating to passenger amenities at the station, time table, stoppage for train services and so on.