MGP discussed the railway commuters’ problems in its monthly public meeting, second time within a span of one year because of its importance and relevance to the people of the city. Non-participation of officers from the Mysore Division of SWR in the public deliberations was overcome by the presence of Sri.Pradeep Kumar, Sri.Yogendra and Sri. Vijeth Bhardwaj, who are members of Facebook Page, "Karnataka Railway Development and News", and very knowledgeable in railway matters.
President, R.Chandra Prakash, stated that the genesis of the railway commuters’ problems is in the irrational geographic boundaries of the Mysore Division in SWR, lack of application of mind by the top echelons, failures of peoples’ representatives despite many railway ministers being from Karnataka, lack of desire to lodge complaints by the commuters and mostly Mysuru being a dead-end railway junction. He further said that only opening up of Mysuru-Metrupalyam route through a tunnel can provide necessary boost to the railways and the region.
People presented their grievances regarding lack of passenger trains between 8.00 am and 2.00 pm connecting intermediate stations between Mysuru-Bengaluru; heavy rush and over-crowing in Chamundi Express; exorbitant charges for snacks and food items sold in most of the trains; lack of TT in several important trains leading to occupation of seats in reserved compartment by persons with non-reservation tickets; lack of trains from Mysuru to important places like Hyderabad/Secunderabad, Vishakhpattnam, Delhi and Calcutta; irrational routing and excessive time of journey of Varanasi Express making this train not very useful; inadequate trains between Chamrajanagar -Nanjangud-Mysuru and pathetic condition of Physically Challenged persons, particularly the Visually Challenged as the four seats made available to them in Disabled Coach are mostly occupied by normal persons/railway.
Many suggestions were made regarding extension of trains like Chennai-Bengaluru Intercity to Mysuru, Prashanti Express and Udayan Express to Mysore. There was also a demand for a train between Mysuru and Kachiguda as daily more than 10 Volvo Buses are plying between these cities. Stoppage of Karnataka –Sampark Kranti Express at Arasikere, of Tirupathi Passenger at Chamarajpuram station. Complaints were made of exorbitant parking charges at Mysuru Railway station without giving any shelter for the vehicles and non-issuance of Monthly Pass for the Parking of vehicles at Mysuru railway station.
Sri.Shiv Shankar, Working President; Ms.Shobhan, Sri.Srinath,Executive Committee Members, Sri.Sheshadri, Treauser, and Members Sri.P.M.Bhat, Sri. Ramanath,K.V, Brigadier Dr.Rajan, and members of public were present.
R. Chandra Prakash, MGP