RailEnquiry

GUWAHATI, Sept 16 – The Guwahati railway station will have a new look with the Railway authorities lining up a series of projects to boost passenger amenities and give a modern touch to the place as part of a major remodelling exercise.

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) officials said a vintage MG steam locomotive will be placed in front of the station and escalators will be installed connecting the platforms with the foot overbridge for convenience of passengers.

“The steam engine will be placed in front of the station which is intended to provide a glimpse of the Indian Railways heritage. Besides, as part of beautification drive, two water fountains and a pathway will also be constructed there to give a better ambience,” NFR PRO Nripen Bhattacharya told.

Inside the main station area, escalators will be constructed. “The tender notice process for construction of the escalators has been completed and actual work on ground will start by November,” he said.

The remodelling exercise will also include construction of a second entry gate from the Paltan Bazar side and also a separate VIP entrance to platform number one.

Bhattacharya said that the existing foot over-bridge will be extended from the proposed VIP gate to the parcel siding at platform number seven to facilitate passenger traffic.

In addition, a rickshaw stand would be constructed to ease the congestion outside the main station gate. Besides, a pre paid tax/auto stand will also come in consultation with the State government.

“For better passenger service, a food plaza is proposed to be set up which will be operated by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). In addition, two fast food stalls would also be set up in platform number one and it will be operated by Railway’s department of catering,” he said.

As part of the exercise, a 46×8 metre waiting hall for general second class passengers would be constructed.

For smooth freight service, one additional parcel gate will come up near the DMM office. There are currently two parcel gates – one each in the Paltan Bazar and the Panbazar side. The project also has provision for a trolley path at both ends of the platforms in the station.