Railway stations to get selfie spots, improved lighting
Train passengers might be able to click pictures at designated selfie points inside stations by the end of the year.
The Railways was keen to improve facilities for passengers at 70 selected stations with the setting up of selfie spots, better LED lighting and installation of lifts and escalators by December 2018, a letter by Railway Board chairman, Ashwani Lohani, to various zones’ general managers stated.
The Indian Railway Station Development Corporation (IRSDC) is currently in the middle of redeveloping over 600 stations across the country with the help of private parties.
However, the Indian Railways has separately proposed changes at 70 stations, including those in Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Jaipur, Delhi and Mysore in an attempt to improve passenger experience, the letter added.
“It has been the Railways’ endeavour to redevelop railway stations to provide an enhanced and richer experience to the passenger. About 600 stations have been identified for this purpose, which will be assigned to the IRSDC shortly. However, as a parallel measure, it has been decided to develop about 70 stations through zonal railways separately,” the letter read.
The letter stated that the redeveloped stations would also have charging slots, meeting points and modular catering kiosks.
In the 2018-19 budget, passenger amenities such as provision of foot overbridges, lifts, escalators and boundary wall for security at the stations was proposed.
The divisional railway managers (DRMs) have been asked to appoint architectural consultant to prepare a plan for the construction work at various stations.
“The redevelopment work at the identified stations should be completed by December 2018. As part of the construction, the facade of the station building should also be improved. Circulating area should also be redeveloped to provide well regulated lanes for pick up and drop and parking. Space for suitable placement of steel dustbins shall also be provided to ensure proper garbage pickup and disposal,” said a Railways official familiar with the matter on the condition of anonymity
The Railways has also decided to allow the setting up of residential and commercial structures, like a hotel or hospital, on the railway land near a station.
The Railways will give the land on a lease of 99 years and private players would be allowed to use it for commercial gains, officials said.
NEW DELHI: