Decongest city main station, convert West as terminal

Tirupati: The development of century old West railway station remains a non-starter with no serious concern from either the railway officials or political leaders. Every official visiting Tirupati railway station makes it a point to visit West station and say that it will be developed in a big way, which will decongest the main railway station in pilgrim city.

So far, there were no concrete steps in this regard. Till some time back, there were some legal issues involved in making use of railway land at West railway station. The authorities have said almost six months back that the legal hurdles were cleared, the development of West station would be high on their agenda.

But, even now the ground work is going at a snail’s pace and it is still at survey stage. Once the survey is completed, they have to make plans as how to make the best use of available site and what have to be shifted to West station from main station etc. Then the plans are to be approved and budgetary sanctions need to be obtained. Then only, all important execution of works will start. In all likelihood, one may not witness any changes in the existing decongestion at Tirupati railway station, said a railway official.

The pilgrim rush has increased manifold during the last 10 years and at this rate it will see more rush in the coming years. Already, 90 trains of all types were touching Tirupati station on an average per day. There are only five platforms at present and one more platform will be made available for use in a year.

This will not make any big change and there was no scope at all to increase the number of platforms further due to space constraint. Hence, it is inevitable to develop West and Tiruchanur railway stations on war footing.

The Tiruchanur station works were also not going at an expected pace. Now, tenders were finalised for the works and they have to be taken up. If the higher authorities show some special interest on the A1 grade station, which earns them Rs 150 crore of revenue per annum, passengers, will find it more comfortable.

But, doubts are being raised by many over the feasibility of development of West station. Department of Railways was having 120 acres of land at West station. They gave about 20 acres on 99 years lease to SVU V-C Bungalow, Tarakarama Stadium etc., and left with 70 acres. Now, the argument was that several events were taking place all through the year at Tarakarama Stadium. When the events are there, the police officials will not allow passengers to go that way.

On the other side, they have only a narrow path to reach the West station. So, it may not be convenient to make it a terminal. Instead, an official on condition of anonymity opined, if Chandragiri station is made as terminal, where the Railways have sufficient extent of land then that area can be developed. Directly or indirectly 2,000 to 3,000 people may get employment opportunities. The Chief Minister’s native area can witness a huge development.

With the construction of an over-bridge, the railway gates can be permanently removed in that route. West station, on the other hand, can be developed just as another station by increasing the number of platforms and two pit lines. Keeping in view of the next 100 years requirement, the railway authorities have to chalk out plans by taking the opinions of all stakeholders without any further delay.

By V Pradeep Kumar