Soon, Shalimar Station to get bigger, better
15 May 2018 6:05 PM GMT
Kolkata: South Eastern Railway has started work to develop Shalimar Station to make it an alternative terminal and cater to more long distance trains originating and terminating from the city.
"There is capacity restriction at Howrah station. The railway terminal at Shalimar is crippled by poor road and poor connectivity. We are developing this station by providing all modern amenities presently available at major stations of Indian Railways. In addition, unidirectional double-road connectivity to nearby Andul Road has been planned to facilitate quick entry and dispersal of passengers," a senior spokesperson of SER said.
Presently, there are two platforms at Shalimar and 4 long distance trains (both daily and weekly) terminate from it. "The third platform will be ready soon and two more platforms will come up so that more long distance trains can terminate from Shalimar and ease the Howrah's pressure," a senior official said.
Work for phase I will involve construction of a station building, a foot overbridge, circulating road, three overhead reservoir each with 3 gallon capacity. "A pedestrian sub-way connecting platforms and other locations and a water treatment will also come up," the official maintained. Work for the first phase is expected to be completed by December 2020.
In phase II, there will be a flyover, another railway overbridge, remodelling of yards, pedestrian subway connecting jetty services and other facilities like escalator, electrical sub station, signage among others. "We are in talks with the concerned authority for ferry services. Shalimar can be connected with Garden Reach and Babughat through ferry service and this will be of immense help to the commuters," the official said. The development of the terminal also includes creating parking lots for cars, taxis, two wheelers, buses and auto terminus for which the railway authorities are in talks with the state government. The entire project cost as estimated by SER will be around
Rs 357.2 crore.
Meanwhile, for the convenience of the passengers, Eastern Railway will run 6 (six) pairs of summer special trains between Howrah and New Jalpaiguri. 03059 Howrah – New Jalpaiguri weekly summer special will leave Howrah station on every Tuesday between May 22 and May 26 at 10.50 PM to reach New Jalpaiguri at 1.05 PM on the next day. The train will have air-conditioned and sleeper class accommodation.
Next Story
