GUWAHATI: Passengers at Guwahati railway station would soon have access to better amenities and comfort.
Union minister of state for railways, Rajen Gohain laid the foundation stone for re-development work of Guwahati railway station at a public function here on Wednesday. The project would cost the railways Rs 15crore.
Gohain said the railway station would be given a new look with the improvement of circulating area, construction of 12 new retiring rooms, construction of covered walkway, improvement of passenger amenities and construction of an international tourist bureau.
“The station circulating area will be improved and provided with granite flooring while another escalator would be provided for passenger convenience,” he said.
Redevelopment of stations through soft upgrades is part of Indian Railways’ plan to bring visible changes in railway stations without piecemeal short-term construction so that passengers have access to improved amenities and comfort.
Gohain informed that a proposal for setting up a digital rail museum at the Guwahati railway station is under consideration of the railway ministry.
“I have asked the concerned officials to examine the feasibility of setting up a cleaning training centre like the one in New Tinsukia which would provide training to railway staff as well as unemployed youths on use of machines for cleaning and other aspects of cleaning in trains and on railway premises,” the minister said.
The minister also laid the foundation stone for electrification of the 180km long Guwahati-Lumding section of Northeast Frontier Railway. The project is estimated to cost the railways about Rs 243 crore.
“Electrification of railway tracks would reduce the country’s dependence on imported diesel which accounts for large outflow of foreign exchange reserve. This will help the country become self-reliant besides reducing pollution considerably,” Gohain said at a public function held on the occasion.
The minister said electrification of the New Bongaigaon-Guwahati section was under way and the work is likely to be completed by the end of 2019.
NF Railway general manager, Sanjive Roy and divisional railway manager of Lumding division, Ashish Sharma, along with other senior railway officials, were present at the function.