Cantt railway station completion date in Sept, 30% work still pending

The deadline for completing the Rs 99 crore re-development work at Jalandhar Cantonment Railway Station is likely to get extended for the second time now as there still is 30 per cent work left.

While earlier Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Bittu had announced that the station would be ready for public use by March this year, the date was further extended to September-end. However, engineers of the contractor engaged in the project have said 30 per cent work was still left and they need more time to finish it all.

The platform number 1 is ready and so is the staircase leading to the second and third platforms. The platform number 1 has become four-time wider with more space to accommodate passengers. A huge arched shed over the platform makes it quite attractive. Kiosks for sale of food items and other utilities too have been set up by the contractors at the platform. With 142 trains passing through, including two Humsafar and two Vande Bharat, the railway station already has a footfall of nearly 8,000 people on a daily basis.

The work on the second and third platforms is still underway. These platforms are yet to get sheds even as angles are being erected. Escalators have been fixed but these are yet to become functional. The atrium, waiting lounges at arrivals and departures, murals, photo galleries, ticket counters, etc have been readied.

The furniture too has arrived but it is yet to be shifted to the planned sites. The halls and lounges have so far been kept closed for the public as there is no power connection to run ACs. The cafetaria too is yet to come up. An air concourse between the platforms too is yet to be readied.

The passengers do not have access to the main entrance and they are instead using the parking lot on the sideways to make way towards the platform. The biggest pending work is that of construction of toilets, which is already a big trouble for the passengers.

Station Superintendent Yashwant Patel said he had asked the contractors to complete public amenities on priority for the convenience of the passengers.

Bittu had announced that the construction had been done in a way that there is improved natural lighting and there are eco-friendly practices followed with green transportation hubs. He had announced that there shall be 10 elevators and nine escalators.

As the work goes on, the most welcoming part for the passengers so far is the plush outer facade of the new building and the words ''Sat Sri Akal Jalandhar'' enscribed on black granite in the fountain area bang near the entry gate.

Platform no 1 ready

The platform number 1 is ready and has become four-time wider

The work on the second and third platforms is still underway

These platforms are yet to get sheds even as angles are being erected.

Escalators have been fixed but these are yet to become functional.

The atrium, waiting lounges at arrivals and departures, murals, photo galleries, ticket counters, etc have been readied.