Mangaluru: The redevelopment works of Mangaluru Junction Railway Station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) is in its final stages, with the project cost now estimated at Rs 15.80 crore, up from the initial budget of Rs 10.58 crore, according to the Palakkad Division of Southern Railway.

As part of the upgrade, the station now features a new entrance arch and a widened approach road with a footpath, kerb wall, and a minor bridge to enhance connectivity, as reported by The Hindu.

The station building facade has been modernised with Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) panels, and new sunshade elevations. A new porch has also been added at the terminal building.

The redevelopment focuses on improving passenger amenities, accessibility, and overall infrastructure at the station. The roofing of the station building and crew booking office has been replaced with Mangaluru tile-pattern ceramic tiles, while old windows have been swapped for uPVC (Unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) units. The booking office and concourse have been upgraded for improved passenger convenience.

Significant work has also been undertaken on the platforms, including 1,450 sqm of Kota stone flooring, 650 sqm of coping tile work, and the installation of 17 new platform shelters—10 on Platform 1 and 7 on Platform 2.

Additional infrastructure includes a new parcel office building, a waiting hall, and the development of the second floor of the crew booking office. The circulating and parking areas have been improved with RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) and RR (Random Rubble) retaining walls to support expansion, added the report.

Extensive electrical, plumbing, and telecommunication works were also undertaken, covering the parcel office, waiting hall, booking office, concourse, porch, and station building façade. Tile work on the stairways of the Foot Over Bridge has also been finished.

The Palakkad Division of Southern Railway said that the remaining minor works will be completed soon, giving Mangaluru Junction Railway Station a modern look and upgraded passenger facilities.

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Bengaluru: Vidyaranyapura police have arrested four persons, including a man posing as a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI), for allegedly breaking into a house, threatening the occupants, and extorting money while wearing police uniforms.

The arrested accused have been identified as Mallikarjuna, Pramod, Vinay, and Hrithik.

Police said the accused had hatched a plan to pose as police personnel, conduct fake raids, and extort money from residents by intimidation.

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According to the police, Mallikarjuna had failed the PSI examination twice and later falsely projected himself as a PSI. He allegedly conducted photo shoots in his hometown, Siraguppa, wearing a police uniform, baton, cap, and shoes, claiming to be serving as a PSI in Bengaluru.

On December 7, the four accused allegedly went to the house of Naveen in the Vidyaranyapura limits, threatened him with a stick and an iron rod, and claimed they had information that he was selling ganja. Under the pretext of searching, they allegedly extorted ₹87,000 through bank transfer, ₹53,000 in cash kept in the house, and ₹2,000 from his wallet.

Following Naveen’s complaint, Vidyaranyapura police registered a case and launched an operation, leading to the arrest of all four accused. Police have seized ₹45,000 in cash and the car used to commit the crime.
Further investigation is underway.