Degrading of Uppala station leaves commuters worried

KASARGOD: The concern of Uppala on degrading the railway station has left unanswered even after the visit of Palakkad division railway manager (DMR) Naresh Lalwani on Tuesday.

Uppala railway station will soon become an Intermediate Block Signal (IBS) station, by which a block section between two adjoining stations (Kumbala and Manjeshwaram) is split into two by a provision of the additional signal which is remotely controlled from the station.

An IBS will not have a Station Master (SM) and the ticket dispensing system controlled by the railway commercial staff. The change triggered fears among commuters over the issuing of season tickets and future development.

"The DMR told us that the switching to IBS is not degradation but a technical upgradation," said 'Save Uppala Railway Station' forum convener Azeem Manimunda.

According to Mr Lalwani, Uppala station has neither loop line nor facility for the crossing of trains. Hence the service of SM is not needed.

"He said a commercial clerk would issue tickets to passengers after the induction of IBS, including season tickets. But the clerk cannot issue season tickets to students. It would be a major setback as there are scores of students who go daily to and fro Mangaluru to pursue studies," he added.

The forum will meet soon to discuss the future course of action. They had submitted a memorandum requesting stoppages to six major trains, commence reservation facility and to resume the service of Byndoor passenger.
Kasargode MP P. Karunakaran inaugurated the railway foot-over-bridge at Uppala. P.B. Abdul Razak MLA, District Panchayat president A.G.C. Basheer and others spoke.