Plan to modernise 4 other railway stations under ECR

PATNA: The Railway Board has shortlisted four other stations in addition to Gaya Junction falling under the jurisdiction of East Central Railway (ECR) to bring them at par with global standards.
According to ECR chief public relations officer (CPRO) Rajesh Kumar, Rajendra Nagar Terminal, Muzaffarpur, Begusarai and Singrauli are other stations of the ECR, which will be redeveloped as world class stations.
Railways has assigned the task to Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) to implement the ambitious project under public-private partnership (PPP) mode. “The railways intends to redevelop these stations from commercial point of view. Restaurants, shopping complex, food court and other amenities including games zone for children and special facility for senior citizens have been worked out in the blueprint,” the CPRO said.
Other advantages include escalators, lifts and ATMs on each platform of these stations while exit and entry points have been marked separately to avoid passengers’ rush on the pattern of European stations.
“Passengers will visit the stations not only for the purpose of journey but also for shopping,” the CPRO said adding cashless transactions will be other highlights at these world-class category stations.
Under the new plan, railways has also proposed to curb movement of luggage trolleys on platforms. The parking areas are likely to be connected to platforms so that passengers could reach the platform directly without facing any hassle. Lounges and internet facilities will be available on each station like any airport.
According to sources, railways has shortlisted altogether 123 stations across the country to redevelop them as world-class stations phase-wise under the PPP mode at an estimated cost of Rs 50,000 crore . RLDA is likely to begin the process for awarding tenders to the firms in March 2021 to start station redevelopment plan, sources said
According to a senior railway official, “Rajendra Nagar Terminal, which has already got appreciation from the Railway Board as a well maintained and clean station, has an advantage of having a vast open space in the front. Railways has proposed to develop a mall, food court, mini theatre and walkway under multi-storied complex plan at the terminal. This terminal is likely to get a metro rail connectivity in the years to come . Thus, passengers will have better advantage to reach this terminal either to board trains or shop hop in near future,” he said adding, “Footfall of passengers has increased at the Rajendra Nagar Terminal which is next to Patna Junction.”