Title - Members, Railway officials discuss various issues at meet

The 21st Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee meeting held here on Tuesday saw a slew of suggestions and complaints in equal measure by the members.The meeting was chaired by Divisional Railway Manager Vinod Kumar and attended by Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Anup Dayanand Sadhu and other senior officials from the Railways, while passengers were represented by the members of the consultative committee from across Mysore division.

Cleanliness

In his inaugural address, Mr. Kumar drew members’ attention to the steps taken by the Railway authorities to enhance cleanliness and hygiene and to improve cleaning of coaches. He said that the division had mechanised cleaning system at coaching depots at Mysore and Arsikere while cleanliness at the stations was also being monitored.While the members of the consultative committee were appreciative of the efforts, they drew attention to some lacunae and gave suggestions.H.R. Sundareshan, a member from Mysore said that there was a stink in some of the trains that left early from the city. He wanted a senior official to conduct surprise inspections to ensure cleanliness in compartments and make sure that the electrical fittings such as fans and lights were functioning.

The authorities said surprise inspections were conducted periodically, the latest being on April 20, 2013 and that personnel were told to take action.

Slip coaches

Praveen Kumar Salecha of Mysore wanted the introduction of slip coaches from Mysore to be attached to Puducherry–Dadar Chalukya Express at Arsikere junction so as to enhance connectivity to Mumbai. But the officials ruled it out as the Railways was discontinuing the slip-coach service.

B.S. Chandrashekar from Nanjangud wanted the extension of the platform at Chamarajapuram railway station as the rakes of some trains overshot the length of the platform and jeopardised the safety of passengers disembarking from the train. However, Mr. Sadhu pointed out that though the estimate has been prepared, the level crossing gate had to be permanently closed if the platform was to be extended and that work could not commence unless the issue was sorted out by the local authorities.

Mr. Chandrashekar also pointed out that vendors short-changed passengers by charging Rs. 6 per cup of tea or coffee on most trains. Officials said that these were unauthorised vendors and the issue would be sorted out.

Inter-city express sought

Ajjampurshettru from Davangere wanted the introduction of an inter-city express to Bangalore city from Davangere. But the officials pointed out that 24 pair of trains stopped at Davanagere and the section was saturated. They, however, said that as Davangere was a Category A station, they were proposing a second entry to the station, extending platform number 2 to hold 24 coach trains, constructing additional reservation counter and constructing a deluxe pay-and-use toilet.

Change in alignment

In reply to a question on completion of survey on the Shimoga–Harihar section and to expedite the track-laying work, the officials said the State government had requested a change of alignment between Shimoga and Honnavalli station as the present alignment passed through fertile fields. The project is estimated to cost Rs. 821 crore. The officials said that they planned to commission the Kadur-Chikamagalur section during 2013-14.

Mr. Kumar urged the members from Shimoga to impress upon the local elected representatives the benefits of terminating the Mysore–Talaguppa Inter City Express at Shimoga. If this was done, the train could depart early from Shimoga, thus facilitating more patronisation by people.