20.12.09

Capital gets its first world-class station

Delhi got its first railway terminal with Union railway minister Mamata Banerjee flagging off the Lucknow Winter Special from the swanky Anand Vihar station on Saturday. Rakesh Chopra, railway board (engineering), said the terminal was the railways’ first attempt to create a world-class facility. With a separate parcel loading facility, two escalators and six lifts, the station will have a special heritage gallery and custom-made subways which can be used by physically-challenged passengers. Banerjee stressed on the need to decongest stations.‘‘A huge number of trains enter Delhi and this terminal will help in easing traffic,’’ she said. The minister said the terminal was ‘‘a New Year gift’’ to Delhiites and designed keeping in mind the Games. ‘‘For all those who reside on this side of the Yamuna, it is time to proclaim that you too own a modern railway station. Anand Vihar, being strategically located, will serve the needs of NCR,’’ Banerjee said. ‘‘The Vision 2020 plan for Delhi includes completion of two dedicated freight corridors and construction of an auto hub on a railway land near the capital.‘‘Delhi has seen only 10% of our work. The remaining 90% will be completed before the Commonwealth Games,’’ Banerjee said. The Rs 85-crore terminal project was originally scheduled for inauguration in 2007, but skipped many deadlines. “The new terminal will cater to over three lakh people in full capacity and handle over 250-odd trains,” said an official. Northern Railway also plans to develop two other railway terminals at Holambi Kalan, Shakurbasti and Bijwasan.‘‘For all those who reside on this side of the Yamuna, it is time to say that you too own a modern railway station. Anand Vihar, being strategically located, will serve the needs of NCR,’’ Banerjee said

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