Tirupati railway station in for major makeover

Tirupati: The city’s main railway station is poised for a major upgrade by 2020 as it was included in the Central government’s list of smart cities. The railway officials, with inputs from Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) and National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC), are charting out plans to develop the ‘busiest transit point’ as world-class level in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

The much-awaited developmental activities are expected to kick off after the necessary sanctions from the higher ups including the Railway Board. The Tirupati railway station would host a wide array of amenities such as multiplex, star hotel, retiring/rest rooms, commercial complex etc., changing the entire facade.

The amenities are expected to offer a pleasant ambience to the multitude of passengers most of them are obviously devotees visiting the railway station, on par with those at a typical airport. The works to build the sixth platform and other passenger amenities on the south side with Rs 72.99 crore were taking place at rapid speed.

Now, without confining to the development of south side, they want to take up a comprehensive development plan which includes the development of north side where the present station is located, West railway station and Tiruchanur station. NBCC and RLDA have completed a survey and submitted the plan to the Railway authorities early this month.

Under this ambitious plan, the station will have 10 platforms to meet the requirements for the next 50 years. Similarly, at Tiruchanur, four platforms and at West railway station, six platforms will come up and they will become terminals. To make 10 platforms in Tirupati Station, the existing pit lines will be moved to Tiruchanur station. On south side, two multi-storied buildings will come up. It was proposed to make use of the cellars for parking needs. The ground floor will be meant for platforms, waiting halls and other passenger amenities etc.

Entire offices will be located in the first floor. The other floors are meant for retiring rooms, star hotel and multiplex. On south side, passengers can enter the station from Rayalacheruvu gate side and DR Mahal road. The existing coach depot, TTE rest rooms and others near Rayalacheruvu gate will be shifted to West railway station.

The proposed building plans were designed by renowned railway architects in New Delhi. They will have green terraces for providing greater thermal performance and roof insulation, landscaping, total LED lighting, cellular rainwater harvesting etc. On the north side also, the Railway authorities have ambitious plans. A piazza covering the entrance, water fountains, greenery etc., may come up on northern side.

The existing railway reservation complex will be removed. The small hotels besides the reservation complex may have to be acquired for the purpose. Food courts with international standards and shopping complex will come up there. The vehicular traffic will be stopped permanently in this route and will be meant for only pedestrians. The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Guntakal, VP Singh will be visiting the city main railway station on December 2 to have a final discussion on the proposals after which they will be submitted to the higher authorities.

The works are expected to commence from June 30, 2018 and the officers were determined to complete the entire project by 2020. It may be recalled that the Tirupati railway station is A1 grade station in Guntakal Division and the passenger earnings during 2016-17 are Rs 269.5 crore. On normal days, 40,000 passengers travel through Tirupati railway station and during peak days it may go up to 1 lakh.

The proposal to make such an important station as world class station was pending for over a decade. Now, under ‘Smart City’ initiative it was proposed to redevelop 10 railway stations in the country. The Union Ministry of Urban Development and Ministry of Railways have reached MoU towards this goal and Tirupati station was one among them.

By V Pradeep Kumar