The historic Mysuru railway station was buzzing with celebration as the Mysuru division of South Western Railway (SWR) enthusiastically observed Station Mahotsav on Monday. The event shone a spotlight on the station's pivotal role, which sees an average daily footfall of nearly 60,000 passengers and generates impressive daily revenues between Rs 21 lakh and Rs 25 lakh.
A Legacy Forged by Visionary Maharajas
The festivities delved deep into the rich railway heritage of the Mysuru region, tracing its roots to the foresight of the Maharajas of Mysuru. They recognised early that rail connectivity was indispensable for economic progress. The Mysore State Railway, once administered by the Maharajas, became part of the national network when it was integrated into Southern Railway on 14 April 1951 following the nationalisation of Indian Railways. Later, with the formation of the SWR zone in 2003, the Mysuru division evolved into a crucial component of this new zone headquartered in Hubballi.
A Hub of Connectivity and Modern Amenities
Classified as an NSG-2 category station, Mysuru Junction stands as one of the busiest and most passenger-friendly terminals in the region. It operates six platforms and manages 106 trains, including bi-weekly, tri-weekly, and weekly services. These trains provide robust connectivity from Mysuru to major Indian cities like Delhi, Howrah, Patna, Mumbai, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, and key destinations across Karnataka.
The station is equipped with a comprehensive suite of modern facilities designed for comfort and accessibility:
- Escalators and lifts
- Subway and foot over bridge
- Wi-Fi and coach indication boards
- Public announcement systems and waiting halls
- Catering outlets and ATMs
- Battery-operated vehicles
- Divyangjan-friendly amenities
Steering Towards a World-Class Future
A major transformation is on the horizon with the ongoing Rs 395.7 crore redevelopment of Mysuru Junction into a world-class station. This ambitious project includes:
- Construction of three additional platform lines
- Four pit lines and stabling lines
This expansion will pave the way for new train services, increased frequencies, and wider connectivity to emerging destinations, solidifying Mysuru's position as a key railway nexus.
The Station Mahotsav event was formally inaugurated by divisional railway manager Mudit Mittal. Attendees enjoyed a guided tour of the Heritage Gallery and a heritage walk to the Mysuru Rail Museum. Cultural performances by students of Lalitha School enlivened the celebrations. The occasion also honoured freedom fighter YC Revanna and former railway employee SHS Ramanna for their contributions. Additional divisional railway manager Shammas Hameed, along with ZRUCC and DRUCC members, were present at the event.
