South Central Railway General Manager promises major facelift

South Central Railway General Manager promises major facelift
x
Highlights

South Central Railway General Manager (GM) Vinod Kumar Yadav has reiterated that all round development of Tirupati railway station is on their agenda. Speaking to the media during his visit to Tirupati on Thursday, he said, the south side development works were going on fast track basis with Rs 80 crore and Tiruchanur railway station development works worth Rs 33 crore were already awarded.

Tirupati: South Central Railway General Manager (GM) Vinod Kumar Yadav has reiterated that all round development of Tirupati railway station is on their agenda. Speaking to the media during his visit to Tirupati on Thursday, he said, the south side development works were going on fast track basis with Rs 80 crore and Tiruchanur railway station development works worth Rs 33 crore were already awarded.

“The main focus is on to decongest Tirupati railway station as with the present lines, the railways were unable to introduce new trains. To increase the number of platforms in Tirupati station, the existing pit lines have to be shifted, he stated. It was proposed to establish 6 pit lines and 5 stabling lines at Tiruchanur railway station with an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore, besides one extra line between that station and Tirupati which is necessary to bring new rakes,” he explained.

The GM added that to develop Tirupati station with a long-term view, Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA), National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) and Indian Railways Station Development Corporation (IRSDC) have been assigned to chalk out the plans to do it under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode with no financial burden on railways.

“Under the PPP, an eight-storey new building will come up at south side in which the first floor will be used for station operational purposes. The remaining floors will be used for running rooms, retiring rooms, passenger amenities, hotels etc. The developer will use the top portion of the building for commercial purpose,” the GM stated.

Similarly, on north side also, the road adjoining the present station building will be covered to get a piazza view by avoiding vehicular traffic. “However, the west station development works will be kept in abeyance for some more time due to some technical issues,” the GM clarified. He further categorically stated that any time in January the three agencies will be inviting bids for these development works under PPP.

Regarding the much-needed Railway Under Bridges (RUBs) at Rayalacheruvu gate and opposite RTC Central Bus Station, Vinod Kumar said, “We are moving in the right direction. The railway and state government officials already conducted joint inspection at the two sites. We have asked the government to divert the drainage and provide approach roads for which they responded positively”.

Though the GM has expressed his preference for ROB instead of RUB at both these places, it involved several hurdles for which it was lying dormant for all these years. “Instead of having nothing, it would be better to go with the proposal of RUBs,” he maintained. He later went on to inspect Tiruchanur station premises. Guntakal DRM Vijay Pratap Singh, Senior DCM Rakesh, Station Manager M Subodh Mithra and other officials were present.

Show Full Article
Print Article
Next Story
More Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENTS