Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus with its imposing dome, Jaipur railway station with its castle-like arched facade, Chennai’s Egmore station boasting a distinctive Indo-Saracenic style, and smaller scenic stations like Ballari and Coonoor are among the 30 heritage structures. A pool of 1,337 railway stations, which have been shortlisted for a makeover under the ambitious Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
In all, Indian Railways has classified 79 railway stations as “heritage structures”.
While the stations have been given “heritage” status by the Heritage Directorate of the Indian Railways, the ₹60,000-crore Amrut Bharat Station Plan has been guided by the transporter’s Gati Shakti Directorate and Station Development Division. According to official figures, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Rs 1,813 crore, Egmore Rs 842 crore, Kanpur Rs 767 crore, Jaipur Rs 717 crore, Nagpur Rs 589 crore and Lucknow Rs. 494 crores.
“We are working closely with the heritage wing to ensure that the upgrading of stations to introduce passenger-friendly facilities does not in any way interfere with their heritage value,” explained a senior railway official.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, for example, is a UNESCO heritage site, and has seen increasing infrastructure additions since the 1870s.
“Its facade is a melange of traditional Indian palace architecture and Victorian Gothic design. However, additional floors for the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) office were constructed at the back of the building in the 1930s, which we are removing. The DRM office has been shifted to another complex,” said a close working on the project. A senior railway official said.
“We want to open this space for the construction of a public park. We are adding more viewing galleries near the platform area, so that passengers can see the heritage structure with historic domes, turrets and pointed arches from multiple points,” he added.
There are also plans to install 100 to 200 Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) gates that require QR code scanning. “In future, the tickets will have QR codes, like metro tickets in many cities. This will help in regulating station entry,” the official added.
The miracle of stone
Built in stone and with two towers with huge curved windows and medieval gateways, Ballari in Karnataka is one of the oldest railway stations in India dating back to 1869. The building is currently painted in white and rust orange colors. Its heritage is being protected during the development work. We are restoring the stone face by sand blasting, filling cracks by pressure grouting and using waterproofing techniques to bring out the natural look of the building,” added the official.
“Similar work is being done at Coonoor station, which is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and part of the scenic Nilgiri Mountain Railway,” said another official.
After the heritage committee suggested that officials revisit plans to rehabilitate Udhagamandalam and Coonoor stations, officials said they are working in close consultation with the committee to ensure that the heritage buildings do not lose their original glory. Renovating the stations will cost around ₹ 7 crore each.
“The committee has suggested that plans for a new cafeteria at Udhagamandalam be shelved, and the old stone structure used by the Railway Protection Force can continue to house the cafeteria. At Coonoor, the structure being constructed ahead to be used as a circulation area for passengers will emulate the heritage building,” the official said. .
A Grade II heritage structure, Nagpur Railway Station built in 1925 is facing challenges due to increasing footfall and chock-a-block vehicle parking, which obscures its facade. “We are constructing an underground parking facility in Nagpur. Also, improved facade lighting has been introduced to highlight the elegant architectural details of the structure,” officials said.
Inspired by the past
Lucknow’s Mahal Charbagh station, one of the most beautiful railway buildings in India, was built in 1926 with a confluence of Rajput, Awash and Mughal styles. Officials said that the main heritage station has been kept without any change in design. “The two new arrival blocks being constructed to facilitate the entry of passengers will have the same architectural theme as the existing building, and the material used is sandstone, which is aligned with the main heritage building,” officials added.
At Jaipur station too, the design of the new structures will be consistent with the heritage structure, incorporating materials and elements that will complement the original design.
In Lucknow, Kanpur and Egmore, new buildings serving as second entry points are being modified, officials said. “When the British built these stations, entry was from one side only. But over the years, cities expanded and secondary entry points emerged at stations across the country,” he explained.
In Thanjavur, the capital city of the Chola kings, new blocks and designs of arrival gates derived from the temple architecture of the Cholas were proposed. “Similarly, for the Puri railway station, the design of the additional arrival gates was inspired by the Jagannath Puri temple,” officials said.
published – December 22, 2024 at 04:56 pm IST