Redevelopment Project will not mar heritage look of City Railway Station: DRM

• Upgradation works to be completed by June 30
• SWR open to suggestions from Heritage Panel
• Meeting of stakeholders and officials; site visit to Railway Station on May 25

Mysore:  The Mysuru City Railway Station redevelopment project will not mar the heritage look of Mysuru, said Aparna Garg, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), South Western Railways (SWR), Mysuru Division.

Addressing media persons at her Office yesterday afternoon in the wake of the District Heritage Committee taking objection to the ongoing works, she said they are open to specific suggestions and inputs from the Heritage Committee that could be incorporated into the work in progress.

The Rs. 15 crore project is half way through and the revised deadline for its completion is June 30, but the Committee has taken umbrage at the works on the ground that there was violation of conservation norms and diluted heritage elements.

A meeting of the stakeholders and officials besides a site visit to the Railway Station is slated for May 25 to resolve the issue but the Railway authorities have maintained that there is no violation nor has the Heritage Committee raised any specific objections.

The City Railway Station building redevelopment has been taken up without any compromise on its historical and heritage look. We are giving a heritage touch to the new inclusions. There is no question of stopping the works. We will complete the works before the monsoon, she said.

Replying to a query on the District Administration directing to stop the works, the DRM said: “We are an autonomous authority and we are not answerable to either the District Administration or Mysuru City Corporation.”

“We had sought their permission just for courtesy. We do not want to hurt the sentiments of the people. The authorities had written a letter to MCC Commissioner and DC in August 2018 furnishing details,” she said and added they had received in-principle oral approval from the Deputy Commissioner, who also heads the District Heritage Committee, and hence took up the work.

Aparna Garg said that if the Heritage Committee suggests any corrective action to redress any specific violations, it could be incorporated. However, she underlined the imperatives of adhering to a time-frame as the works entailed passenger comfort and safety and civic works at the Station premises had to be completed before the southwest monsoon gathers momentum.

The earlier deadline was April 30 but it has been revised and has to be completed at any cost by June 30, she said.

Mysuru City Railway Station : Historical perspective

• Mysuru City Railway Station was constructed in late 1940s and there were only 4 Platforms in late 1980s
• Post-gauge conversion, the number of Platforms increased to 6
• In mid -1980, 24 trains were handled and at present the Station handles 96 trains with a daily footfall of about 60,000 — up by nearly 20 percent compared to 2014-15
• The number of two and four-wheelers brought for parking has doubled in 10 years

Improvements in recent times

• All 6 Platforms are connected with barrier-free Subway and Foot Over Bridge (FOB)
• Advanced Reservation Office
• Unreserved Ticketing System (8 counters)
• Automatic Ticket Vending Machines
• Provision of second entry with parking facility to ease congestion
• Escalator at Platform 1 and 6 (up direction) and Lifts at Platform 2 and 4, Ramps and other                     facilitation for Divyangjan (Persons with Disabilities)
• High-speed Wi-Fi network, CCTVs
• Toilets on each Platforms  — Pay and Use, e-Toilets and She-Toilets
• Battery-operated Buggy Service

Ongoing works and in pipeline

• Provision of down Escalators on Platform 1 and 6.
• Pay and Use Toilets in parking area
• Full length Platform shelter on all Platforms
• Aesthetic improvements which includes painting etc.
• Improvement to Platform surface.

Mysuru Station redevelopment

Indian Railways has identified 64 Railways Stations as a continued endeavour to improve Stations and customer experience. In accordance with the above, Mysuru Railway Station building redevelopment has been taken up without compromise to its historical and heritage structure.

• Improvement and expansion of circulating area duly relocating Railway Offices.
• Improvement to façade of the Station building
• Improvement to waiting hall, waiting room etc.
• Provision of PF shelter to full length for all Platforms
• Expansion of circulating area of second entry
• Construction of Reserved Lounge for First AC passengers
• Shifting of Parcel Office ; Improved Illumination