Lok Sabha Question No. 2381 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-15
Subject: Halting Facilities at Dharmadom
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Kumbakudi Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2381

TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2023

## HALTING FACILITIES AT DHARMADOM

## 2381. SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  passenger  trains  in  the morning  does  not  have  a  stop  at  Dharmadom  Railway  Station  in Kannur;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons  for  withdrawing  the halting facility at Dharmadom during morning hours;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  will  reintroduce  the  halt  at  Dharmadom for passenger trains in the morning;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  willing  to  upgrade  the  functioning  of Dharmadom  Station  from  Grade  E  to  Grade  D  and  if  so,  the  details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether Dharmadom Station has proper toilet facility for public use and if so, the details thereof and if not, whether the Governement is willing to upgrade the toilet facility in this station; and
- (f) whether there is sufficient shelter and amenities such as light and drinking water facility at the eastern side of Dharmadom Station and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (c)  Presently,  Dharmadam Halt is being served by two pairs of passenger  specials  including  06023  Shoranur-Kannur  Special,  which arrives/departs Dharmadam Halt at 08.14 /08.15 hrs.

Further,  as  a  part  of  rationalization  of  time  table,  56650  KannurCoimbatore  Passenger  and  56654  Mangaluru-Kozhikode  Passenger have  been  speeded  up  and  converted  into  Express  services,  which inter-alia necessitated discontinuation of poorly patronized  stoppages at  Dharmadam  Halt.  However,  provision  of  stoppage  of  trains  is  an ongoing process on Indian Railways subject to operational feasibility, commercial viability etc. (d) to (f) For provision of passenger Amenities, stations are at present categorized  as  Non-suburban  Grade  (1-6),  Suburban  Grade  (1-3)  and Halt Grade (1-3) depending upon the earnings and outward passengers handled  at  the  station.  Dharmadam  station  is  categorized  as  Halt Grade/3 station. The average daily number of passengers dealt at this station is 48 only. As  per  norms  for  Minimum  Essential  Amenities,  shady  trees,  hand pump,  lighting  etc.  are  to  be  provided  at  HG/3  category  station  and there  is  no  provision  of  toilet  facility  at  Halt  stations.  However, Dharmadam  station  has  3  lavatories  including  toilet  for  divyangjan, 221sqm  platform  shelter,  19  lights,  2  drinking  water  taps  and  the present level of amenities is considered to be adequate in view of the current volume of passenger traffic. However, up-gradation of passenger amenities is an on-going and continuous process subject to volume of traffic, inter-se priority of works and availability of funds.

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