Rlys seek MCD help to decongest station

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

To Decongest the Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, the Railways have been trying to come up with a new entry point at the Sarai Kale Khan end. However, a parking lot run by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi is standing in the way.

In order to put its plan into action, the Railways have proposed that the MCD shift its parking lot to a nearby area, which is currently lying unutilised.

The entry from the ISBT side caters to approximately 50 per cent of the passengers coming to the station. To facilitate easy movement, the Railways are planning an additional platform, which will directly lead into the station premises.

Following an inspection of the Sarai Kale Khan entry of the Nizamuddin Railway Station along with MCD

Commissioner K S Mehra, Engineer-in-Chief Ravi Dass and Transport department Additional Commissioner J S Sandhu in February, Divisional Railway Manager Ashwani Lohani wrote to then Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta. "The entry area is a mess, and needs to be improved for the convenience of the travelling public. At present, there is a scooter parking area that is operated by the MCD on land belonging to the Transport department, adjoining the foot-overbridge landing. The Railways might want this piece of land to develop a proper entry gate, booking windows and passenger holding area for the convenience of the public. The existing parking can then be conveniently shifted to the adjoining vacant plot of land," Lohani wrote to Mehta on February 14.

A reminder on the issue was sent to the Chief Secretary on March 18, requesting that a meeting be called for resolving the issue. However, officials said there is no response yet, and with a new Chief Secretary stepping in, the matter is likely to see more delay.

Officials said the Transport department has informed the Railways that the proposal to redevelop the Sarai Kale Khan ISBT has been approved by the UTTIPEC, and tenders have also been floated.

"Since that project will take at least 24 months for completion, if the land at the existing parking is transferred by MCD to the Railways, we can develop this area for an entry to the Nizamuddin Railway station. The plan is to create a hub in this area connecting the railway station to the ISBT through a skywalk and walkator," said a senior Railways official.

A plot of 5,000 sq m has been identified near the transport authority office for relocating the parking lot.

"The approximate distance of this plot from the station is 150m, which can be linked through the means of a skywalk. Essential services such as washrooms, queuing area with additional booking and PRS counters and bigger waiting halls have been proposed under this skywalk," a senior official said.

Original news source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/rlys-seek-mcd-help-to-decongest-station/772346/0