Source – https://www.financialexpress.com/business/railways-indian-railways-transforming-stations-ashwini-vaishnaw-inspects-station-redevelopment-progress-at-bhubaneswar-and-cuttack-3364813/
Publisher – Financial Express
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw conducted an extensive inspection of the ongoing redevelopment work at Bhubaneswar railway station on Sunday (January 14), underscoring Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to transform railway stations across the nation into world-class facilities.
The railway minister highlighted substantial advancements in the redevelopment project at Bhubaneswar, with construction completed up to the 3rd-4th floor, and commended similar progress witnessed at railway stations nationwide.
Transforming railway stations
Emphasising the nationwide initiative, Vaishnaw stated, “PM Modi has taken up the initiative to make the railway stations across the country world-class and good progress has been made in this direction. Here at Bhubaneswar railway station, work is complete upto 3rd-4th floor. You can see similar progress at other stations too.” During his visit, he also inspected the construction site of Cuttack railway station.
Cuttack railway station
Regarding the ongoing redevelopment of Cuttack railway station, Vaishnaw expressed satisfaction, stating, “The project to redevelop Cuttack railway station to make it world-class is ongoing. I am very happy to see the progress of the project.” He reiterated that priority is being given to the development of Railways in Odisha.
Detailing the focus areas of the redevelopment project, Vaishnaw outlined comprehensive plans, including infrastructure development, air concourses, platform and platform shelter renovations, circulating areas, platform lighting, Food Court Zones, Shopping Areas, Waste Management, waiting rooms, toilets, and the installation of much-needed elevators for passenger comfort.
“The primary focus is on the development of a Building, an air concourse, the renovation of platforms and platform shelters and circulating areas, platform lighting, Food Court Zone and Shopping Areas and Waste Management, waiting rooms, toilets, recently added elevators that are much needed for the comfort of passengers,” he said.
The minister highlighted the creation of a roof plaza above the platform, providing a waiting facility for passengers and a play area for children. He assured that the work is being executed without disrupting passenger movement, with similar initiatives underway at 57 stations in the state.
“The space would be utilised to provide a waiting facility for the passengers; kids can also play there under the roof plaza. The work is being done without disrupting the movement of the passengers. Such work is going on in 57 stations in the state,” he said.
Ensuring swift action, Minister Vaishnaw pledged to complete the project by November 2024. The Bhubaneswar Railway Station, categorised as NSG-2(A1 Class), serves as the headquarters of the East Coast Railway zone of the Indian railway and plays a crucial role in enhancing the travel experience for the capital city of Odisha.
