Mangaluru: The Railway Department is all set begin construction of platform number 4 and 5 at Mangaluru Central Railway Station, which has been long-pending demand of the region and that hindered beginning of the new train services.
The construction of an additional 4th and 5th platform at the station was a planned long back. However, the current pit-line (track used to take up technical works of the bogies) was needed to be moved to take up a new platform. The work of the pit line is almost complete and as soon it’s shifting is done, the works on new platforms will begin too.
Currently, some trains are stopped near the Kankanady – Netravathi Bridge at Mangaluru Central stating that there is no platform space in Mangalore Central Station as without the trains stationed at the three platforms move, other trains cannot enter the platforms in the station. If new platforms are created then more space to station the train would be created, and the problem would be resolved to a great extent. Further, new train services too could be started from Mangaluru Central Station.
So far, the Mangaluru Central Station could station 18 bogies and the pitline could undertake technical work of only that many bogies. And as construction work of 4th and 5th platform needs to be taken up, the shifting of put line has become sort of a compulsion. With this, a pit line expending 6.76 Crore that can station 24 bogies has been constructed.
Catwalks on both sides facilitate the maintenance and cleanliness of the bogies at the pit line. At the pitline, the primary maintenance of the bogies are undertaken. After every ride, the bogies, gear, brake, inspection, power, water supply, bogie cleanup and such other construction works are done.
Soon, if the platforms are constructed, then the age-old excuse at the Mangaluru Central Station having no sufficient platforms will cease to exist.