Issue 6 | 23 Dec. 2006

Blr city rly station'll soon be world class

The Bangalore city railway station will shortly be developed into a world class railway station, Sri S. Gagarin, Sr Div. Commercial Manager, South Western Railway said, at a Residents' Meet held recently in ward 100. Representatives from 28 resident welfare associations took part in the interaction meet organised by Grahak Shakti, a citizens' body. Sri Gagarin named the new amenities made available at the railway station such as the automated passenger enquiry system, upper class waiting lounge, well furnished rest rooms on par with any star hotel, platform ticket vending machines etc. In keeping pace with the demands of the Silicon City, the city railway station had been WiFi enabled with a number of internet kiosks. A new linen washing machine had been installed in the premises at a cost of around Rs 1.2 crores to clean the linens used in trains.

Responding to some of the suggestions, Sri Gagarin said the Lottegollahali station was being upgraded, while he turned down the residents' request to open the level crossing near the Hebbal flyover, since the railways as a matter of policy did not permit opening of level crossings when an alternate safe passage was available.

Replying to vociferous demands of the people to introduce circular and suburban railway in the city as the tracks were already laid, he explained that with single line track in the stretch and trains already planned above capacity at over 150%, it was not viable. He however agreed to examine the request of the people in view of the dire necessity of a parallel mode of transport in the city.

On demands for introducing electronic signboards at railway stations and also inside trains, he informed that a company had already been sounded out to provide the same. On the issue of unauthorised vendors and beggars in the compartments, he appealed to the commuters to co-operate with the railway authorities to combat this menace. Sri Deepak Chabra, Chief Commercial Manager, Passenger, south western railway, Sri R.C. Dutt, president of Federation 100 - Sanjaynagar, VK Somasekhar, Co-ordinator, Grahak Shakti and Sri Parameshwarappa, former Chief Conservator of Forests and President, RMV Club chaired the meet.