Ahmedabad: The transformation of Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Railway Station has entered its final phase. The station is being modernised at a cost of Rs 334 crore, and with the main building now complete, it has been opened for passenger use. Facilities including the waiting area, lifts, and escalators have also been made operational. However, despite the station’s new look, passengers continue to face difficulties with certain basic amenities.
Station Redevelopment to Cost Around Rs 334 Crore
Sabarmati Railway Station is being developed under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme at an estimated cost of Rs 334 crore. The main building of the station is now operational for passengers. Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Ved Prakash and General Manager (GM) Ramashray Pandey visited the station to review the progress of the work. The new building houses arrangements for ticketing, reservations, and a passenger waiting area.
Concourse Work With 7 Platforms Also Expedited
The station will have a total of 7 platforms, and work on these is also being carried out at a fast pace. To ease passenger movement, a spacious concourse, lifts, escalators, and a foot-over-bridge have been set up, along with digital passenger information systems, a modern announcement system, CCTV, fire safety, a food plaza, parking, and pick-up-drop zones. The station has also been linked with multimodal transport connectivity.
Passengers Confused While Locating Platforms
Amid ongoing construction work, passengers are currently facing difficulty navigating towards platforms 1 to 3. The absence of clear guidance boards indicating directions to specific platforms is causing confusion, particularly for unfamiliar travellers, elderly passengers, and those carrying luggage. There is a need to put adequate way-finding and signage systems in place until the station’s construction is fully completed.
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Sabarmati: Maintenance Capacity for WAG-12 Engines to Be Enhanced at Shed
Infrastructure is being developed at the Sabarmati Electric Loco Shed at a cost of Rs 113.63 crore to enhance maintenance facilities for high-power freight engines such as the WAG-12. Keeping in mind the maintenance of nearly 300 WAG-12 engines, facilities including bogie drop pits, wheel maintenance, an automatic washing plant, and OHE (Overhead Equipment) will be set up. On August 11, Railway GM Ramashray Pandey and DRM Ved Prakash inspected the site and reviewed the progress of the work.
Five-Star Facilities at the Station
- Spacious concourse with 7 platforms
- Waiting and retiring rooms
- Modern UTS and PRS ticketing systems
- Digital displays and modern announcement system
- Food plaza and dining facilities
- CCTV cameras and fire safety system
- Parking, pick-up and drop-off zones
- Connectivity with multimodal transport
- Solar and green building facilities