New Delhi: Mumbai’s historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Railway Terminus, New Delhi Railway Station, and Ahmedabad Railway Station will come out in a new look in the next three years. In the meeting of the Union, Cabinet held on Wednesday, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rs 10 thousand crores were approved for the redevelopment of these three stations. The most important thing is that the government has decided to develop these stations from the Union budget. So that in the coming time, the burden of the amount spent on their development does not fall on the common traveler.
Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnav said that the expenditure from the budgetary amount has been approved keeping in mind that the passengers should not be burdened by it. Vaishnav, who is known for his mild-mannered behavior, said that the first priority of the government is the people. They get world-class facilities. With this goal, a blueprint for the redevelopment of these stations has been prepared.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnav said the toughest challenge was the redevelopment of Mumbai’s overcrowded Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. The reason for this was that this station is historical heritage. In such a situation, it was decided that its main part would not be changed. Here only that work will be done while maintaining the old structure. Which is necessary to maintain its current image.
Any new development. He will be at the entering places or will be in those places. Which have been built in the last few years. He said that 85 lakh people travel here every day by sub-urban or Mumbai local. In such a situation, construction will be done with modular technology during construction. So that people are least bothered.
He said that along with this, a waiting plaza would be built above the platform at the railway station here. After the arrival of the train, people will be able to come down to the platform from there. After getting off the train, you will be able to go back through the plaza area above. Vaishnav said that passengers at all three stations will be able to come only after the train arrives at the platform. An escalator-stair lift will be arranged at all stations to come down from the plaza area.
The plaza area will have catering stalls, a children’s play area, local product sales counters, and other facilities. There will be dedicated routes outside the station. That will reduce the crowd. He said that because this station is historical heritage. This is the reason that after talking to many architects, archeological conservation experts, etc., the plan for redevelopment here has been prepared. After this redevelopment, about five and a half acres of additional space will be acquired at the station. Which is a big deal in the context of Mumbai city. Where every inch of space has to be fought for.
New Delhi Railway Station and Ahmedabad Railway Station
Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnav said that these two stations will be developed in such a way that it looks like an extension of the city. Do not look different from him. The elevated road will be around both the stations outside. So that there is no traffic jam or congestion. The station will have multi-level parking for buses, cars, three-wheelers, etc. Passengers will be able to come on the platform only after the arrival of the train at both these stations. Like Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, a plaza area will be built over the area platform here too. With this, additional ten acres will be available separately in both Ahmedabad and Delhi. It will have catering, stalls selling local produce, as well as facilities for children’s play and travelers’ leisure. Special arrangements will be made for their seating etc.
The design outside the Ahmedabad station will be like a replica of the Sun Temple. There are two minarets on the outside. When one tower is shaken, the other tower moves automatically. While preserving these minarets, the development of the entire area will be done in such a way that people can come there to roam. There, programs of music, etc. could be organized in the open. It will be developed as a new city center. Which will also be the green area here.
Tender in ten days, a total of 199 stations will be redeveloped
While giving information about this redevelopment plan of railway stations, Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnav once again introduced himself as a normal person. Vaishnav, who always kept away from frills and pretense, himself presented these stations standing. Presenting officers usually give. He said that the government has decided to redevelop a total of 199 railway stations. For this, an amount of more than 60 thousand crore rupees will be spent. The tender for these three stations will be made public in the next ten days. This will reveal the actual amount spent per station.
The government has selected those stations in the first phase. Where more than 25 lakh people come and go every day. A total of 47 stations were tendered in the first phase. Of these, work has started on 32. Mumbai, New Delhi, and Ahmedabad railway stations will have three to four stories. It will also have a plaza area. Where people will wait before the train arrives. Passengers will arrive on the platform only after the arrival of the train. Along with better catering stalls for the passengers, many other facilities will also be provided. For this, the additional space that will come up due to the station being made three to four stories will be used.
Announcement of bonus to railway employees
Railway in the cabinet meeting of the government has also decided to give 78 days productivity linked bonus to the employees. They will get this bonus a day or two before Dussehra. This will benefit about 11 lakh non-gazetted officers of the Railways. This will put an additional burden of about Rs 2,000 crore on the government. Apart from this, according to the recommendation of the 7th Pay Commission, the central employees will also get a dearness allowance of 4 percent. The benefit of which will be available to 50 lakh central employees and 62 lakh pensioners.
