Nagpur: Commuters can expect an easing in congestion at the west entrance of Nagpur Railway Station as Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) handed over the newly completed underground parking facility to Central Railway on Saturday.
The development comes nearly three years and three months after redevelopment work began at the station in July 2023. The foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Dec 2022. The ₹487.77-crore redevelopment project is among the major infrastructure upgrades being undertaken at Nagpur station.
Sources said divisional railway manager (DRM) Vinayak Garg had insisted on expediting the final work to make the parking facility available to commuters without further delay. RLDA wanted to address water leakage and seepage at certain locations before handing over the premises, said a railway source. “CR authorities pushed for an early opening, suggesting that pending repairs, improvements and finishing work could continue alongside operations, subject to safety requirements,” said an official.
Sources close to DRM Garg said a joint patrolling post for the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) is also planned. The post is expected to be manned round the clock to strengthen surveillance and deter pickpocketing, unauthorised loitering and other criminal activities. A separate traffic police booth is also proposed.
Vacant spaces around the facility are expected to be organised into dedicated vehicle lanes, a prepaid autorickshaw stand and a queueing area,” said an official. Signboards will guide motorists, while digital signage is also planned. “The changes will extend beyond parking. Prepaid autorickshaw services will be available on the ground floor, separate from the underground parking area.