OREANDA-NEWS. Mysore Railway Station of Mysore division of South Western Railway has bagged the Tourist Friendly Railway Station Award which is part of the National Tourism Awards for the year 2011-12, instituted by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

 The Division Railway Manager (DRM) of Mysore Railway Division, Shri Vinod Kumar received the award from President of India at a programme held in prestigious Vigyan Bhawan Complex, New Delhi on 18th March 2013. He was accompanied by Sh. Anoop Dayanand Sadhu, Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager of the Division. Additional Member Tourism, Railway Board, Shri Satya Prakash were among those present on the occasion.

 Mysore Railway Station is hailed as a heritage marvel. The magnificently lined Corinthian columns make this rail station a landmark in the heritage city of Mysore. Designed by famed architect Shri D.V. Narasimha Rao (1889-1975), the founder member of renowned engineering institute, National Institute of Engineering (NIE) in Mysore and completed in early 1900, this station stands testimony to the glorious past of Mysore State Railway (MSR).

 Visitors are overwhelmed as they enter this nearly one hundred year old, partly two-storied architectural splendor which now boasts of modern facilities and amenities for the passengers.

 Handling around twenty-seven thousand originating passengers every day and generating an annual revenue of Rs. 50 crore, is an important rail hub of Mysore Division of South Western Railway.

 The tourist friendly infrastructure at Mysore Railway Station include battery-operated buggy service, passenger care centre, an additional booking counter on the west end of the station, Wi-Fi connectivity, integrated security system, prepaid autorikshaw stand, multiple option mobile battery charges, drinking water, giant screen, executive lounge, waiting rooms, upgraded retiring rooms, a Tourist Information Centre, ATMs of nationalized banks, dual display infotainment system, touch screen kiosks, dynamic queue management system, amenities for physically challenged, onboard audio-video infotainment system, website for Mysore Railway station, free emergency medical care centre, closed circuit TV with LCD screens, model Railroad layout in Mysore Railway station, heritage photo gallery, city bus service schedule, Tourist Information & Facilitation Centre and Rail Museum.