Southern railway general manager Vashishta Johri and Salem divisional railway manager Shubhranshu on Friday inspected the platform extension work at the Mettupalayam railway station. They also reviewed passenger amenities like public toilets and the mini-Nilgiris Mountain Railway (NMR) museum, besides discussing the possibility of adding new coaches and services on NMR section as the demand has been on the rise not only during the tourist season, but also on normal weekdays.
"We are extending the platform length to accommodate 24-coach trains. Currently, it can accommodate only 13-coach trains. We are satisfied with the progress and pace of work and it should be completed by this financial year end," said Shubhranshu.
Though the work is expected to be completed within the next nine months, passengers might have to wait another couple of months to board "longer" express trains from here as the commissioner of railway safety has to be approached to get "carriage clearance". "After the extension work, the railway tracks have to be shifted slightly and permission has to be obtained for "longer" express trains to stop here," said Shubhranshu. "That might take another couple of months," he noted.
The railways has also plans to build another block of toilets in the extended area of platform. "We have reviewed the amenities being provided for passengers and tourists," said the Salem divisional railway manager. "Currently, we have two blocks of toilets and we plan to add a third one in the extended area next year," he said.
"We are extending the platform length to accommodate 24-coach trains. Currently, it can accommodate only 13-coach trains. We are satisfied with the progress and pace of work and it should be completed by this financial year end," said Shubhranshu.
Though the work is expected to be completed within the next nine months, passengers might have to wait another couple of months to board "longer" express trains from here as the commissioner of railway safety has to be approached to get "carriage clearance". "After the extension work, the railway tracks have to be shifted slightly and permission has to be obtained for "longer" express trains to stop here," said Shubhranshu. "That might take another couple of months," he noted.
The railways has also plans to build another block of toilets in the extended area of platform. "We have reviewed the amenities being provided for passengers and tourists," said the Salem divisional railway manager. "Currently, we have two blocks of toilets and we plan to add a third one in the extended area next year," he said.