Pune: Ministry of Railways has planned redevelopment of Pune Railway Junction and Shivajinagar station, as both these stations are among those which recorded maximum footfall in India. These stations have been included in the list of 90 such stations drawn by the ministry.
However, railway passenger activists claim redevelopment plan of both stations was announced in 2010.
According to the ministry, six stations which fall under Central Railway (CR) are also part of the redevelopment plan including Lonavla, Solapur, Igatpur and Wardha.
“The redevelopment plan of 90 stations is assigned to different zones/ nodal agencies. Given that some stations are important pilgrimage hubs and report over 45,000 footfalls per day,
Indian Railways would strive to ensure that passengers get best services at the stations even during peak seasons,” said Milind Deouskar, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Pune Railway Division.
According to the Railway Ministry, “It may be noted that Indian Railways is in the process of redevelopment of more than 600 stations. While doing this, efforts would be made to showcase local culture or history to reflect in the station façade.”
‘All talk, no action’
Railway passenger activists claim the railway is only announcing redevelopment plans, but nothing takes place.
“The Pune railway station was announced as A1 station in 2006 and after two years it was announced as World Class station.
“The redevelopment plan of Pune station is pending since 2008. There is nothing new in the announcement. Then railway minister Suresh Prabhu announced that stations having more than 40,000 footfalls will be redeveloped under Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model. Again, the Railways announced this plan. They are just announcing it and doing nothing for a decade,” said Harsha Shah, President, Railway Pravasi Group.
According to her, redevelopment of Shivajinagar station is pending for six years. “Shivajinagar development was planned in 2013.
The design also sent to the Railway Board, but there were no developments,” said Harsha.
According to an official of the Pune Railway Division, the redevelopment plan of Pune station will be done by the Central Railway and Shivajinagar station will be done by the Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation (IRSDC).
Stations to be redeveloped
Station Executing Agency
Shivajinagar IRSDC
Lonavla Zonal Railway
Solapur Zonal Railway
Igatpuri Zonal Railway
Wardha Zonal Railway
Pune Zonal Railway
