More trains to chug out of Cantt

More trains to chug out of Cantt
The Times of India

Bangalore: Some major trains could soon operate from the Cantonment railway station which is being upgraded with additional platforms to handle increasing rail traffic.

With the City and Yeshwanthpur railway stations, the two major stations in the city, operating at full capacity, South Western Railway had proposed to the Railway Board in the last budget to upgrade Byappanahalli railway station as a third major terminal in Bangalore. Currently, the City station handles 74 trains and Yeshwanthpur 24.

While awaiting approval, the Cantonment railway station is being upgraded with four additional platforms to deal with some trains whenever necessary, division railway manager Mahesh Kumar said.

“Since upgradation of the Byappanahalli station will take a long time, we have started work at Cantonment station to handle more trains,’’ Kumar said.

He added that the first two platforms will be ready by Decemberend. The rest will come up in the next 18 months.
“Handling trains includes arrival, departure as well as cleaning and servicing of trains for which separate lines and space is required,’’ Kumar said. He added that it will mostly handle diesel electric multiple unit (DEMU) trains.

The phased increase in facilities will help handle additional trains, specially in the wake of two pairs being introduced shortly for the Mangalore sector.

“Once the four platforms are ready, nearly 15 trains can be handled from there. The Byappanahalli station can handle as many more once it is upgraded,’’ Kumar said.

Though the Railways have not decided which trains will be handled at Cantonment station, the DRM explained that in the event of special trains introduced to clear seasonal rush or otherwise, the additional traffic can be accommodated at the upgraded station.