Karnataka: Prime Minister Narendra Modi To Lay Foundation Stone For Mangaluru Station Redevelopment

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw are set to lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Mangaluru Junction Railway Station to world-class standards on Sunday (6 August), via videoconferencing.

According to a statement from the office of Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP, the upgradation work is being carried out at an estimated cost of Rs 19.32 crore under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS).

The Railway Ministry has already released Rs 10.5 crore for this project, and initial works have already begun.

Kateel highlighted that the Union Budget 2023-24 had announced the improvement of Mangaluru Central, Bantwal, and Subrahmanya Road stations. The existing Mangaluru Junction Station building will undergo a complete overhaul, including additional facilities. The MP expressed gratitude towards Modi and Vaishnaw for their support.

The proposed development of the station, as depicted in the artistic images shared by the MP, showcases an improved elevation that reflects the architectural style of the Karnataka coast.

The front area will feature a well-designed vehicle circulating area with ample provisions for vehicle parking and other amenities. The passenger concourse will also undergo a transformation with well-designed interiors, reports The Hindu.

Mangaluru Junction, a station under Southern Railway, was selected for improvement as part of the ABSS initiative. The Railway Ministry allocated Rs 934 crore to the SR zone for this scheme, with Rs 195.54 crore designated for the Palakkad Division. A total of 26 projects will be carried out across the 15 identified stations in the division.

On 14 June, the lowest bidder for the improvement work at Mangaluru Junction was awarded the contract. The contractor has already begun the task of enhancing the station's parking area, which involves expanding the space, establishing parking infrastructure, and other related tasks. The remaining work will be completed in phases.

Mangaluru Junction is a significant station along the west coast, serving as a stop for numerous trains travelling between Thiruvananthapuram and Ahmedabad.

The station is responsible for handling 82 trains, many of these stop at Mangaluru Junction for watering purposes.