MANGALORE: Officials from Palghat Railway Division were left embarrassed when activists, armed with information obtained under the RTI, proved that Kerala receives preferential treatment from Southern Railways.
When a train was introduced between Mumbai (CST) and Mangalore, Southern Railways authorities had refused to accommodate the train in Mangalore Central Railway Station pointing out that there was no space to park any new train from 10 am to 3 pm. However, the same authorities allowed the Palakkad-Mangalore Intercity Express Train to depart from the Mangalore Central Railway Station.
When this issue was brought to the notice of the Railways, officials defended their decision by pointing out that the intercity train had to be accommodated as it had been approved by the Railway Board. Immediately, activist Hanumanth Kamath sprung from his seat and submitted information obtained from the RTI.
According to the information, the Board in its meeting held in Bhopal, had fixed the schedule for Mangalore-Mumbai (CST) with the first station beginning from the Mangalore Central Railway Station. Officials promised to look into the issue.
Under the Adarsh (model) Railway Station Initiative, Puttur railway station is being upgraded at a cost of `2 crore, said SWR senior division engineer C M Ranganath. The station aims to transform into a disabled-friendly station. A footbridge at an estimated cost of `25 lakh has been sanctioned for Bantwal station.