18-07-2025
Chandigarh railway station redevelopment lags behind, passengers grapple with poor hygiene, crowding
Over a year after work began on a ₹462 crore redevelopment plan, the Chandigarh railway station remains a site of passenger discomfort, plagued by overcrowding, poor hygiene, inadequate seating, and safety concerns — despite official claims of 75 per cent completion.
Part of the Centre's Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, the project was launched in January 2023 with a May 2024 completion target. It includes two G+3 buildings, 30 lifts, 10 escalators, a 72×80 meter air concourse, enhanced parking, AC restaurants, a food plaza, dormitories, and upgraded retiring rooms.
Yet, for many of the 36,000 passengers who pass through the station daily, little has changed.
'I can't use these toilets — they're so unhygienic that anyone could get a UTI,' said Kiran, a traveller to Amritsar. 'The smell and the state of cleanliness are unbearable. You're just forced to hold it in.' Toilets remain in disrepair, with a few cleaning staff visible.
The station's waiting areas are overcrowded, forcing commuters to sit or sleep on the floor. 'There's nowhere to sit. It's so uncomfortable in this heat,' said Harpreet, en route to New Delhi. 'It feels like an overcrowded market, not a train station.'
Platform 1 was shut for nearly a month in mid-2024 for roof repairs, but passengers say there is little visible improvement. 'It just looks patched up. Nothing seems new,' said one commuter. Other platforms still lack proper surface pavements, posing difficulties for elderly or differently abled passengers.
Wasim Khan, the construction supervisor overseeing the redevelopment, acknowledged delays. 'We've made progress, but it's a huge project. Realistically, it will take four years,' he said. He added that work on the DigiRoom and new water supply systems is underway.
Safety remains a major concern, especially for women. 'My daughter studies in Delhi, and I have to personally drop her because I don't feel it's safe,' said Harpreet. 'There's hardly any police or RPF at night. It just doesn't feel secure.'
Minimal CCTV coverage, inconsistent power backups, and a lack of crowd management continue to add to commuter woes. While food stalls remain functional and well-managed, passengers say they are not enough to offset the lack of basic infrastructure.
'The food stalls are fine, but they don't make up for the filth, the lack of seating, or the fear at night,' said Kiran.
Officials from the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) did not respond to questions about the project delays or safety lapses. Station authorities said they were not authorised to speak on the matter.
As work continues in phases, passengers remain cautiously hopeful. 'Trains are rarely on time, and the station is a mess,' said Kiran. 'But if the new facilities ever get completed, I just hope they'll finally give us a station that's clean, safe, and functional.'
