Sun Jan 26 15:02:59 UTC 2025: ## Palakkad Railway Division Reports Significant Growth and Progress

**Mangaluru, January 26, 2025** – The Palakkad Division of Southern Railway announced impressive growth and progress across various sectors in its performance report for April-December 2024. Divisional Railway Manager Arun Kumar Chaturvedi, speaking at Republic Day celebrations in Palakkad, highlighted key achievements.

The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) is driving significant improvements at 16 railway stations, including Mangaluru Junction. ₹175 crore of the projected ₹300 crore budget has already been utilized for upgrades, adding new parking areas, expanded circulating areas, over 200 platform shelters, foot overbridges, lifts, escalators, improved platforms, modern waiting halls, enhanced lighting, and advanced passenger information systems.

Freight loading saw a 12% increase to 4.64 million tonnes, while originating goods revenue surged 49.74% to ₹439.81 crore, exceeding the target by 24.7%. Passenger revenue also grew by 7%, reaching ₹761.66 crore, exceeding the target number of passengers carried by 4.82%. Overall revenue surpassed the target by 2.26%, reaching ₹1,290 crore.

Despite a 19% increase in traffic blocks for maintenance and safety works, punctuality remained high at 93.63%. Work continues on raising the speed limit on the Shoranur-Mangaluru Central section from 110 kmph to 130 kmph.

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) also reported significant success. Operation Amanat returned over ₹3.15 crore worth of lost items, Operation Nanhe Fariste reunited 202 children with their families, and Operation Dignity helped 44 missing women return home. The RPF also seized ₹9.64 crore worth of narcotics and prosecuted 15,574 offenders. Their ‘Meri Saheli’ initiative provided personal security to 48,076 women travelling alone.

Read More