Big news for rail travellers: Vijayawada Railway Station is all set to get a major upgrade, turning it almost into an “airport on rails.” The project, estimated at ₹661 crore under a PPP (public-private partnership) model, has now been greenlit by NITI Aayog.
Under the plan, the station will get two new platforms (bringing the total to ten ), which means more space for trains to arrive and depart without delays. For ease of movement, there will be 20 lifts and 15 escalators inside the station, so you won’t have to climb many stairs. There will also be 8 foot overbridges connecting platforms and parts of the station.
Parking is going big too: a G+2 parking structure will be built to hold about 2,000 cars. Also, the station’s west side will be expanded to accommodate growing traffic and more amenities.
All of this is expected to make the station more comfortable, efficient and modern, especially for older passengers or those with bags and thus helping in maintaining cleaner rooms, better connectivity and time efficiency.
The tenders for the work are expected to be issued by December 2, and construction should follow soon after. The redevelopment is being carried out under the DBFOT-PPP model (Design, Build, Finance, Operate & Transfer), with central support via Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to help make the project feasible.
Once complete, Vijayawada’s station’s new makeover will be on the lines of recent development of Secunderabad and Tirupati station with great aesthetic looks and airport style transformation for the station. This becomes the 3rd Railway station in India after state capitals like Bhopal and Gandhi Nagar that are getting redeveloped under the PPP model.
For longtime commuters, this means walking less, waiting more comfortably and travelling with dignity. The arrival of airport-style facilities at your railway station is closer than you think.
Related