Chandigarh railway station upgrade deadline now May 31

Naina Mishra

Chandigarh, February 24

Local railway station’s transformative upgrade, designed as a prototype for future stations, has encountered an extension in its completion deadline. Initially set for April 10, 2024, the project’s timeline has been revised to May 31.

The railway officers from the headquarters and Ambala division took stock of works being carried out under the Amrit Bharat Stations scheme.

The station is being upgraded with innovative modular designs and prefabricated components. The contract has been awarded to M/s Ahluwalia Contracts (India) Limited at a cost of Rs 462 crore.

Buildings (G+3) of sizes 60m x 42m each are planned on both sides of the station. The ground floor features essential services such as ticket counters, book stalls, a souvenir shop, a retail shop, railway offices and an executive lounge. The second floor will house enquiry counters, a food court, retail shops, a cloak room and a paid waiting lounge. The third floor will have an exclusive food court.

An air-concourse (72m x 80m) will connect the second floors of the two buildings. The platforms will be accessible through lifts, escalators and stairs from the concourse.

Two foot overbridges (each 12 m wide) are strategically positioned on the Kalka and Ambala ends of the station. These will be used by arriving passengers and will also be connected with the station building.

A through roof, measuring 180m x 80m, covering the entire area of air-concourse and both the foot overbridges is an important feature. The present parking area on both sides of the station are being developed and is being increased from the existing 13,720 sq m to 24,515 sq m.