Mysuru station redevelopment will enable capacity augmentation for increased train traffic, say railway authorities

The railway authorities said here on December 1 that the ongoing redevelopment of Mysuru Junction, being implemented at a cost of ₹395.73 crore, will result in capacity augmentation to handle more trains and increase passenger traffic.

This was stated during ‘Station Mahotsav’, which was celebrated by the Mysuru Divisional Railway. The junction is being upgraded to a world-class station, the foundation for which was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2022.

The authorities said the redevelopment aims to cater to the increasing travel demand by enabling the introduction of new trains, increasing the frequency of existing trains, and providing connectivity to new destinations.

‘’The sanctioned works under this project include the addition of three new platform lines along with four pit lines and associated stabling lines,’’ the authorities added.

Pointing out that Mysuru Railway Station is classified as an NSG-2 category station with six platforms, the railway authorities said that it is currently handling a total of 106 trains, including bi-weekly, tri-weekly, and weekly services.

 ‘’These trains provide connectivity from Mysuru to major places across India such as New Delhi, Howrah, Patna, Mumbai, Kacheguda, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, and various destinations across Karnataka,’’ they explained.

The station caters to an average daily footfall of 60,000 passengers and generates revenue of approximately ₹21–25 lakh per day, the authorities added. Once the station is expanded and capacity augmented, the demand for increase in frequency between Mysuru and Bengaluru, additional long-distance trains, and so on could be considered. The works were approved based on the projected growth of the city and imperatives of enhanced connectivity, which could catalyse economic and industrial development.

Mudit Mittal, Divisional Railway Manager, Mysuru, who launched the Station Mahotsav, said the Maharajas of Mysore played a pioneering role in developing railways in the erstwhile Mysore State, considering railway connectivity as a key driver for economic upliftment.

“The Mysore State Railway, administered by the Maharajas, became part of Southern Railway under the Government of India on April 14, 1951, after the nationalisation of Indian Railways. In 2003, with the creation of the South Western Railway Zone, headquartered at Hubballi, Mysuru Division became an integral part of this new zone,’’ he added.

Girish Dharmaraja Kalakunda, Divisional Commercial Manager, said the timeline for completion is three years, of which six months are done. Type 2 quarters are being constructed. After completion, the old quarters will be demolished and the land cleared will be utilised for station expansion, he added.

Mr. Mittal also inaugurated a guided visit to the Heritage Gallery, followed by a heritage walk to the Mysuru Rail Museum.

Cultural programmes were presented by students of Lalitha School while freedom fighter Y.C. Revanna and retired railway employee H.S. Ramanna were felicitated. Shammas Hameed, Additional Divisional Railway Manager, railway officials, and staff were among those present.