Entry and exit points for Games, city stations to get a facelift

Sunday, February 14, 2010

The Northern Railways may not be expecting much additional rush of commuters during the Commonwealth Games this October but being important entry and exit points, the city's three main railway stations will get a significant facelift ahead of the Games.

While little work needs to be done on the newly opened Anand Vihar terminal in East Delhi, the three other major stations — New Delhi, Old Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin — are expected to be spruced up extensively.

According to plans, the circulating area of vehicles at the entrance towards the Paharganj side of New Delhi railway station will be completely redesigned and will have dedicated lanes for auto-rickshaws, taxis and private vehicles. The circulating area has been a problem point due to congestion and improper parking, and as a result auto-rickshaws and taxis usually refuse to drop passengers inside the station premises.

Taking note of this, the railways authorities have decided to redesign the circulating area to facilitate smooth movement of traffic at the entrance.

Northern Railways divisional railway manager Ashwani Lohani said, "The new design for the circulating area has been finalised and approved by the Delhi Traffic Police. Proper signages will be installed to direct entry and exit points and demarcate exact areas for autos and taxis to wait. We are also redesigning the parking area."

Lohani said the contract is yet to be awarded but will be done over the next month. "The parking area will also be redesigned to ensure there is no congestion at the entrance."

Work to upgrade all the stations will be complete over the next five or six months, Lohani said. "By the time the Commonwealth Games arrive, we will be able to change the face of the railway stations. A lot of work is also being done to give a qualitative facelift to all three stations in terms of cleanliness and the overall environment inside them."

"We are in the process of procuring several machines to clean the station premises because the stations are spread over a large area and it is difficult to keep them clean manually," he said.

As part of the beautification process, stainless steel will be used extensively at New Delhi station to lend it a contemporary look. Officials said water booths, railings and seats on the platforms will be made of steel to increase the durability of the structures.

Steel structures are also easy to maintain, officials said.

Under the beautification plans, the enquiry system might also be made more foolproof with a computerised information centre giving out common feed to all railway stations. Lohani said, "The enquiry system is being upgraded — communicating information, like train delays and arrival or departure timings, will be made electronic.

"Ticket checkers will be given handheld devices to communicate information on train delays. A number of large LCD screens will also be put up at vantage points inside the stations."

ON TRACK: FASHION STATIONS
At New Delhi station
* Circulating area on Paharganj side to be redesigned to facilitate smooth movement of traffic at entrance
* Signages to be installed to direct entry and exit points and demarcate areas for autos and taxis — parking area to be also redesigned

At all stations
* Machines to be procured to clean station premises
* Stainless steel water booths, railings and seats on platforms to be constructed to increase durability
* Enquiry system to be updated

Original news source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/entry-and-exit-points-for-games-city-stations-to-get-a-facelift/579468/0