Chhattisgarh Government with the co-operation of the Railway Ministry has embarked on plans to renovate seven prominent railway stations in the State.
The plan is to take into account the needs of the next forty years. The seven railway stations are— Raipur, Bilaspur, Raigarh, Janjgir-Champa, Durg, Rajnandgaon, and Bhilai-Power House.
The facilities will meet the standards of international airports. The master plan will be under the Private-Public Partnership (PPP). The ultimate aim is to satisfy the passengers. The State Government and Railway Ministry will form a joint venture company (JVC).
Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand presided over a meeting of senior State Government officials and Railway Ministry here and instructed the officials to prepare an Integrated Master Plan for the re-development of seven railway stations.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had announced the re-development of 400 railway stations in the last Railway Budget. The seven railway stations of Chhattisgarh had been included in the list. Railway Ministry had written a letter to Chief Minister Raman Singh regarding the re-development of the seven railway stations.
Dhand said that Union Government had included Raipur in the list of Smart Cities. It is necessary to re-develop Raipur Railway Station on the pattern of Smart City. The top priority will be convenient flow of incoming and outgoing passengers.
Steps will be taken to see that there is no over-crowding at the railway platforms. Catering services, small retail shopping, wash rooms, drinking water facilities, A.T.M. centers, medical stores and Internet. The frequency of buses to the railway station will be increased.
Food courts also will be provided. Parking facilities will be improved with ample space. Business centers and Skills Development Centers will be opened.lifts and escalators will be provided to the
differently-abled.
Public Works Department Principal Secretary Amitabh Jain, Industry Department Secretary Subodh Kumar Singh, Urban Administration department Special Secretary Rohit Yadav, Revenue Department Secretary B.K. Chablani , South-Eastern Cenral Railways General Manager S. Kumar, Chief Engineer J. K. Verma and several senior officers were also present at the meeting.