The Palakkad division of Southern Railways has loaded 6.222 million tonnes of freight during 2016-17 against 6.484 million tonnes in 2015-16. The division attributed this dip in freight loading to lesser loading of coal and cement and low demand for fertilizer and gypsum during the period.

Speaking at the 62nd railway week celebrations on Tuesday, Naresh Lalwani, Divisional Railway Manager of Palakkad division, said that the total earnings of the division stood at ₹1042.64 crore during 2016-17 as against ₹1090.08 crore in the previous fiscal.

Passenger earnings

During 2016-17, passenger earnings of the division increased to ₹650.76 crore (₹628.14 crore) and the earnings from the transportation of goods came down to ₹311.59 crore (₹383.75 crore).

He said that the 311-km-long Shoranur-Magaluru section has been fully electrified. Of this, the final 82 km stretch between Charvattur and Mangaluru was commissioned recently.

Internet Connectivity

Lalwani said that free wi-fi and fast internet connectivity will be extended to 10 more stations of the division during the current year. They are: Kanhangad, Kannur, Kasaragod, Mangaluru Junction, Palakkad Junction, Payyannur, Shoranur Junction, Thalassery, Tirur and Vadakara.

A press release by the division said that a new railway station building with two platforms was constructed at Jokatte. Jokatte became 95th railway station of Palakkad division. The 5.6-km-long section between Jokkatte and Panambur (both in Mangaluru taluk) was opened in January, it said. -

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