Mangaluru – The Dakshina Kannada District Railway Passengers’ Committee has pressed the Southern Railway’s Palakkad Division and the Railway Board to fast-track key service and infrastructure upgrades at the Mangaluru Central Railway Station.
In response, Palakkad Division stated that maintenance facilities for modern LHB coaches are already functional at Mangaluru Central. However, it acknowledged that the large gap between platforms and train coaches remains a concern, which can only be resolved through comprehensive yard remodelling.
Call for Local Recruitment, Better Communication
The committee also requested the hiring of local staff fluent in Kannada and Tulu for IRCTC stalls. Though staffing is decided through a centralised tendering system, officials agreed to recommend that contractors prioritise regional language speakers.
Ongoing Development, Lounge in Pipeline
Upgrades are currently underway at both Mangaluru Central and Junction stations. A proposal for an IRCTC lounge at Central has been submitted to the concerned authorities for further processing.
Train Modernisation and New Services
The demand to upgrade major trains—including the West Coast Express, Malabar Express, and Maveli Express—to LHB coaches has been directed to the Railway Board. Meanwhile, the long-awaited Mangaluru–Rameswaram train has received approval and now awaits final orders for implementation.
Infrastructure Priorities
With heavy monsoon rainfall in the region, the committee stressed the urgency of extending platform shelters. Officials assured that this would be executed where required. Other suggestions—such as reviving the Navajeevan Express via Hassan–Pune and increasing coaches on the Mangaluru–Subrahmanya Road route—are under review based on passenger volume.