Deadline a month away, Ghaziabad station revamp just 25% over
Ghaziabad: Ghaziabad station's renovation has progressed only 25% since Jan 2023, making the 30-month timeline appear unrealistic. The Rs 350-crore project seeks to transform the single-storey building, spanning 1.5 lakh sqm, into a three-floor complex and add new amenities like foot overbridges, escalators, automatic ticket vending machines and multi-level parking.
A 24-metre skywalk is also set to integrate the six existing platforms, in addition to two FOBs with ramps for hassle-free commute. A multi-level parking and a dedicated lane within the station premises will come up for e-buses. A signal training school and 96 railway quarters are also proposed to come up.So far, Evanascol-Sindhuja, the executing agency, has demolished the staff quarters—Ganga Hostel, the oldest staff quarters built in 1955 to accommodate railway trainees, is being dismantled, along with Yamuna, Saraswati, and Sutlej hostels. But work on the station complex has yet to start."It is a busy station with an average daily footfall of 50,000 passengers. Over 200 trains pass through the Delhi-Howrah main line here. Redevelopment of the station building is progressing in phases and is likely to be completed by Feb 2026," an official said.According to officials, the imposition of Graded Response Action Plan stages 3 and 4, which ban construction and demolition activities in Delhi-NCR due to poor air quality, has also slowed the work. Earlier, the project was delayed for green clearances—over 190 trees were felled for the project.Currently, UP is focusing on developing seamless multi-modal connections with rapid rail and metro stations, ISBTs and UP roadways buses in Ghaziabad. But the British-era station still lacks modern passenger amenities. While the station's two main entries—one from Vijay Nagar side and the other from the city side—have escalators, passengers continue to lug their luggage from one platform to the other. The station also lacks a holding area, which could be potentially risky in case of a crowd build-up. During Maha Kumbh in Feb, a huge crowd had built up on Platform No. 2 of Ghaziabad junction as two trains, reached the platform 2 within a gap of 20 minutes and yet another made an unscheduled halt on the main line, leading to a rush of people who alighted from the train and rushed towards the platform. The overcrowding came just three days after a stampede left 18 people dead at New Delhi station and triggered panic among passengers.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Rs 20 crore allotted for Bonalu festival; to start on June 26
HYDERABAD: The government has allocated Rs 20 crore for the conduct of the Ashada Bonalu festival, which will kickstart on June 26 and culminate on July 24. Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Konda Surekha have instructed officials to organise the festivities in a grand manner. Chairing a review meeting on the festival arrangements, the ministers said the state government would offer silk robes at the Balkampet Sri Yellamma Pochamma temple on July 1. The Hyderabad district in-charge minister said silk robes will be presented to 28 major Mahankali temples. An elephant procession accompanied by Ghatams will commence from Ujjaini Mahankali temple on July 14, followed by Nalla Pochamma Devasthanam Sabji Mandi on July 20 and Akkanna Madanna Devasthanam on July 21.
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Telangana panchayat secretaries threaten mass leave over unmet demands
NALGONDA: Panchayat secretaries across Telangana have announced mass leave from Wednesday following a call by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) to press for the resolution of their long-pending issues. President of the Nalgonda Panchayat Secretaries' Association, SA Qasim, stated that bills worth crores of rupees for gram panchayats have been pending for the past 18 months. He added that during the last two summers, individual secretaries incurred debts ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh to ensure an uninterrupted water supply. Qasim also highlighted the tragic death of Indanpally secretary Chandramouli from Jannaram mandal in Mancherial district, attributing it to financial stress caused by unpaid dues.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
MP orders fencing, Shikaripalya lake gets lifeline
Shikaripalya Lake Bengaluru Rural MP Dr CN Manjunath Anekal Tahsildar Shashidhar Make or break lake When informed, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board's (KSPCB) environmental engineer Narayan Swamy said he has already written a letter to Hulimangala panchayat emphasising the need of setting up an STP near the lake. Protecting water bodies is our duty, increasing groundwater, and preventing sewage entry to ensure potable water Dr CN Manjunath is again in the news. The lake was rejuvenated a few years ago at an estimated cost of Rs 1.50 crore but dumping debris and garbage continues due to lack of a fence around the water body. Residents have been running pillar to post to fix this problem for more than a year but finally they are happy withdirectingto take measures to fix the problem and save Shikaripalya the investment in rejuvenation, the lake remains under threat due to unchecked dumping of waste and sewage inflow. The absence of a protective fence has left the area vulnerable, causing frustration among residents who have consistently raised the issue with local January 31, 2024 edition, Bangalore Mirror published a report titled Make or Break Lake, detailing how Shikaripalya Lake was drying up even before summer had begun, largely due to pollution and neglect.'I am deeply worried about the lake. Many are dumping garbage and construction debris, and untreated sewage is also entering the water. We have been urging officials to fence the lake to prevent further damage,' said Ishaan Singh, a over a year of efforts by the community, residents say they are finally seeing hope. Bengaluru Rural MP Dr CN Manjunath responded promptly when approached, directing revenue officials to act on the matter. 'He was very supportive. After I met him, he immediately instructed officials to visit the site. They came on June 9 and promised that fencing work will begin after a feasibility check,' said Mani Ranjan, another Tahsildar Shashidhar confirmed the MP's instructions. 'I will ask the Panchayat Development Officer to submit a report. The fencing will be completed within 30 days,' he Manjunath stressed the importance of conserving water bodies. 'Protecting lakes is vital for groundwater recharge and ensuring clean water must be a priority,' he said.
