Mangaluru Junction–Panambur doubling work, which received Rs 40 crore, is set to be completed by May 2021, said John Thomas, General Manager, Southern Railway.
Besides this, the GM said that under Vision 2024 an additional platform line, and provision of new 24 coach pit line in lieu of existing 18 coach pit line at the Mangaluru Central, under traffic facility works are in progress and is targeted for completion by March 2022. Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for doubling of Netravathi–Mangalore Central, covering 1.5 km.
He said the main highlight of this year’s budget is that Indian Railways has been allocated an amount of Rs 1,07,300 crore under the Gross Budgetary Support (GBS). Of which, Southern Railway has been allocated a substantial amount of Rs 3,855 crore, including Stores and Manufacture. He said allocation under capital/GBS is very key as the land acquisition for doubling and new lines have to be done under capital. This will give a fillip to the infrastructure in Southern Railway, he said.
Southern Railway will complete electrification of all the broad gauge route in its jurisdiction by December 2023. He pointed out that an allocation of Rs 146 crore will give a big push for Signal and Telecom Infrastructure.
Major works involves setting up of Modern Centralised Train Control System in Chennai-Gudur and Chenni–Renigunta route, Train Collision and Avoidance System (TCAS), LTE and Train Management System. He also said that vistadome coaches will be introduced in the scenic sections which are to be identified.