Mysuru City Railway Station slated for facelift; to get descending escalator

Mysuru: Senior officials in the Mysuru division of South Western Railway (SWR) appear to be very keen on giving the City Railway Station a long overdue facelift. A sum of Rs 16.5 crore has been allocated for the upgrade, which includes improving the waiting rooms and the construction of an executive lounge at the terminal. However, the decision to operate descending escalators – ascending escalators are already in place at the terminal – is one that passengers are likely to be overjoyed about. Escalators help ensure hassle-free movement between the foot overbridge and the platforms.
SWR Mysuru division manager Aparna Garg on Thursday pointed to the perceptible spike in passenger traffic to Mysuru in the wake of the line connecting the city with Bengaluru being doubled and electrified. “The projected growth of traffic to Mysuru station is very encouraging in view of the reduction in transit time to and from Bengaluru, coupled with convenience and more economical fares. As a result, redevelopment of the railway station and enhancement of amenities are imminent,” she said.

Among the projects slated to give the station an overhaul include expansion of the circulating area – the space both within and outside the terminal that witness public movement – extending the foot overbridge, ensuring shelter across the length and breadth of all platforms and shifting the parcel office to decongest the circulating area. “We are also looking to enhance the visual appeal of the façade by replacing Mangalore Tiles. We are looking at painting the station in bright new colours to give it a fresh look. We are constantly consulting the heritage committee in order to ensure that the station retains its architectural lustre. These initiatives will, I am sure, put the Mysuru City Railway Station among the cleanest and most user-friendly terminals in India,” Aparna said.

Extension to Ashokapuram

The expansion of the foot overbridge to the very edge of the station would make access to passengers in Srirampura and neighbouring areas significantly easier. “Moreover, we will be extending the line to Ashokapuram, which will obviate the need for passengers to cross railway lines to reach the terminal. This is not only unsafe but is also unlawful,” Aparna said.

Mysuru MP Pratap Simha, who laid the foundation stone to mark the commencement of the redevelopment project, said that the upgrade of the existing station was as important as the construction of the new satellite terminal in Naganahalli, which is being constructed on a 400-acre plot at the cost of over Rs 700 crore. “Although the new station will have more pit lines to enable trains to remain overnight for service, most of them will be operated from the City Railway Station. Hence, taking into account the increase in commuter traffic, we have embarked on this redevelopment project. The Mysuru station is one of the 64 chosen from across the country to be marked for redevelopment,” Simha said.

Mysuru mayor Pushpalatha Jagannath, Krishnaraja MLA SA Ramadas and MLC Marithibbegowda were among those who participated in the ceremony.