The Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, recently conducted a comprehensive review of the ambitious upgrade and integrated redevelopment plans for various railway stations, with a focus on transforming Bandel Junction in the Eastern Railway’s Howrah division into a world-class facility.
Bandel Junction, a pivotal station serving the Kolkata suburban network and connecting routes to New Jalpaiguri, Guwahati, Delhi via Howrah, is slated for a significant overhaul.Presently, the station caters primarily to suburban passengers, with local trains being a crucial mode of daily commute for about 80% of its current footfall. However, with the planned development of a coaching depot, Bandel Junction aims to originate and terminate 5-6 additional mail and express trains, catering to a population of approximately 3 million people.
Key features of the redevelopment plan for Bandel Junction include:
Bandel Junction, a pivotal station serving the Kolkata suburban network and connecting routes to New Jalpaiguri, Guwahati, Delhi via Howrah, is slated for a significant overhaul.Presently, the station caters primarily to suburban passengers, with local trains being a crucial mode of daily commute for about 80% of its current footfall. However, with the planned development of a coaching depot, Bandel Junction aims to originate and terminate 5-6 additional mail and express trains, catering to a population of approximately 3 million people.
Key features of the redevelopment plan for Bandel Junction include:
- Iconic Station Building: Designed to meet future needs for the next 50 years.
- Spacious Concourse/Roof Plaza: Connecting terminal buildings and platforms equipped with essential facilities such as food courts, retail outlets, ATMs, pharmacies, internet services, and modern washrooms.
- Integration of Station on Both Sides: Enhancing connectivity across the city.
- Facilities for Divyangjan and Senior Citizens: Ensuring accessibility and comfort.
- Adequate Circulating Area: Provision for smooth drop-offs, pick-ups, and parking.
- Green Initiatives: Incorporating green building practices, energy-saving technologies, solar panels, firefighting systems, rainwater harvesting, wastewater/stormwater reuse, and onsite solid waste management.
- Commercial Development Space: Creating opportunities for commercial activities.
- Yard Remodeling: Streamlining operations by reducing diamond crossings, facilitating uninterrupted movement of mainline trains, and expanding existing platforms to accommodate full-length trains.
- Coaching Depot: Proposed with facilities including pit lines, sick lines, stabling lines, and washing lines to support the origination and termination of multiple Mail/Express trains.
The new station infrastructure will boast 12 lifts, 20 escalators, and a sprawling parking area covering 15,791 square meters. The station building itself will cover approximately 23,473 square meters, housing a commercial area, roof plaza, food plaza, and separate departure and arrival lounges, all designed to international standards.
This ambitious project underscores the Indian Railways’ commitment to enhancing passenger experience by providing modern, comfortable, and sustainable facilities across its extensive network.