Railways to redevelop 68 stations through own coffers

Even as its ambitious programme to redevelop stations on a large scale is yet to take shape, the Railways today came out with a list of 68 stations which would be given a facelift through its own resources within a time-bound period.

The redevelopment will be closely monitored by the general managers of the respective zones and the divisional railway manager (DRMs).

Railway Board Chairman Ashwini Lohani had suggested that the redevelopment should come with a visible change on the station premises without unnecessary construction all over.

The Old Delhi station in the national capital and some of the busiest stations in the country, including Howrah, Patna, Allahabad, Vijayawada, Chennai Egmore and Mughalsarai, are among the 68 stations which would be taken up for an overhaul.

The station facade, the passenger flow and other amities would be looked into as the redevelopment is taken up.

According to a source, the redevelopment work is slated to be completed before the country goes for the general election.

The DRMs are expected to submit a master plan to the Railway Board by March 31 for the redevelopment of the station. The board is expected to engage officials to closely monitor the redevelopment plan along with the DRMs.

The development comes as the Railways is yet to give a final shape to the redevelopment of the 600 stations as spelled out in the Union Budget this year.

The Indian Railway Station Development Corporation would pilot the ambitious programme. The Railway Ministry is expected to approach the Cabinet with a policy proposal.