Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 19: Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Ferozepur Division of the Northern Railways, N C Goyal today said that Jammu Railway Station will get additional platform and extra line for the yards in near future.
Talking to media-persons along with Ch Lal Singh, Member Parliament from Kathua-Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary Constituency, Mr Goyal said, “the additional platform and extra line for yards have been sanctioned. The survey for the same has already been conducted and the locations identified”, adding “as soon as other formalities in this regard are completed the work on additional platform will begin”.
Stating that project involves expenditure to the tune of Rs 18 crore, he said, “an amount of Rs 5 crore has already been sanctioned and technical issues are being sorted out for the commencement of work”, adding “the new platform would have the capacity for stationing of trains with 24 to 25 coaches. The creation of new platform having capacity more than that of the existing ones is also imperative in view of the fact that number of trains would increase following completion of doubling work”.
In response to a question, Mr Goyal said, “more developmental activities in Jammu Railway Station are in the offing and soon after nod from the higher authorities and availability of funds the work on the same would begin”. He disclosed that new signals would be installed on railway tracks and fresh cabins for signal maintenance officials constructed.
Responding to another question, the DRM said, “since Udhampur-Katra line is likely to be opened by March 2013, several development activities are being planned for the Katra Railway Station where 14 trains will arrive following commissioning of railway line”.
“Recently, Governor of the State, N N Vohra had detailed discussion on creation of facilities at Katra Railway Station. We placed our difficulties before him and he immediately responded to the same by passing necessary directions to the State administration”, the DRM said.
The DRM disclosed that he along with Member of Parliament inspected three Railway Stations including Kathua, Udhampur and Katra and enquired about the status of developmental works going on there.
Ch Lal Singh said that he has asked the Railway authorities to improve facilities at Kathua Railway Station as despite being declared as Adarsh Station it has been lacking even basic amenities and facilities for the passengers. “I have also demanded that DMU service between Udhampur and Kathua should be increased for the convenience of the local people”, he said.
“Since large chunk of Railway land at Lakhanpur is lying unutilized and is being encroached upon by some people, Northern Railways should establish state-of-the-art railway station at Lakhanpur”, Ch Lal Singh stressed, adding the Northern Railways has also been asked to extend more trains up to Udhampur Railway Station and construct goods sheds there.
“In Reasi large number of farmers have suffered huge losses as their agriculture land has either been acquired by the Railways for construction of rail line or suffered extensive damage due to dumping of debris by the project executing agency”, the Member Parliament said, adding “I will take up this grave issue with the higher authorities for adequate compensation to the farmers and job to one member of those families whose land has been acquired for the construction of railway line”.
Ch Lal Singh said that he has also demanded separate railway division for Jammu and Kashmir. “Since there is around 400 kilometers of railway network in this State, there is all justification for creation of separate division for the State with DRM office at Jammu”, he added.
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