Panel To Study Hurdles In Rly Station Project
The Delhi government would be setting up a steering committee to look into the problems stalling the progress of the Northern Railway's proposed Rs 1,000 crore self-financed project to bring about an improvement in the New Delhi Railway Station premises and its surrounding areas spanning across a radius of 1.5 km.
To expedite the project the Railways on its part, will be appointing a real estate consultant to conduct a feasibility study and plan out the development works.
Rites, the engineering arm of the Railways would be responsible for appointing the consultant. "So far we have received bids from seven private real estate consultants. Decision will be taken only after the proposal is cleared by the local authorities." said a Rites official.
Housing & Urban Development Corporation (Hudco) which in April had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the railway ministry to develop property for the Railways is also expected to invest in the project. However, for now the company is adopting a wait and watch approach.
"We are waiting for the feasibility study reports to be prepared by the real estate consultants as we have to see whether the volumes will get us returns or not", said S C Sharma, executive director, Hudco.
The proposal had run into rough weather with the local authorities denying approval to the project.
The project involves major relocations, traffic diversions and blockades for the next four years. This will throw the traffic in New Delhi area out of gear and put tremendous pressure on the local agencies and the people. No local government would be willing to take such a decision that would put its electorate in discomfort.
Another factor that is delaying approval is that the project has been mooted by a central agency, (patronised by the BJP government) while the local government is under the Congress rule. "So the issue is who will take the credit?" officials said.
One of the major controversies surrounding the project is the proposal to relocate the Amrit Kaur market and improve the floor area ratio which at present is below than that permitted by the local agencies.
However, shop owners are anguished. "For generations we have been earning our livelihood because of the proximity of the market to the station. Now they ask us to start all over again." said Mohan Lal, owner of a restaurant in the area. Justifying the decision to overhaul the station, a railway official said, "The station is frequented by approximately 3 lakh people and 208 trains every day. The present infrastructure is under severe pressure".
The project envisages a traffic diversion from Panchkuian road and Ajmeri gate to New Delhi station through a grade separator. This way, the passengers can come directly to the station.
An offshoot of this project is widening of roads and having more greenery.
A multi-storey station building would be constructed with separate facilities for reception and exit. The top floor of the proposed building would be used commercially. A multi-level car parking is also proposed on each end of the station premises.
As part of the project an under ground subway and a sky concourse is also being planned to enable hassle-free movement of passengers and goods.
A multi storey shopping complex will also be constructed towards the edge of Connaught Place and other high rise buildings would be constructed to be utilised for commercial purposes.
A metro rail between the station premises and the edge of the railway area is proposed to be constructed in conjunction with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's project.
According to railway officials, these measures are expected to bring about an improvement to the entry and exit areas of the station, safety of passengers, reduction in environmental pollution and decongestion of the built up structures in the area.