Three new railway stations are coming up at the borders of the capital with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana as part of a Government plan to decongest New Delhi Railway Station, which is groaning under the strain of increasing traffic and visitors.
Under the ambitious plan, remodelling of New Delhi Railway Station will be undertaken from September 6 to upgradeit to world class standards.
The station, considered the busiest in the country, handles about six lakh visitors every day and about 270-odd trains, resulting in huge clogging and long waits for incoming trains.
The new stations will come up at Holambi Kalan in north Delhi, Bijwasan in south west, both bordering Haryana, and at Anand Vihar in east, bordering Uttar Pradesh.
The final aim of the plan is to de-clog New Delhi Station, lessen dependence on it and streamline rail traffic movement in the city before the 2010 Commonwealth Games, said a Rail Ministry official.
The new terminals would also give further impetus to the economic development in the respective places, he said.
While upgradation of the existing Anand Vihar station has already been initiated at a cost of Rs 85 crore, land acquisition for the other two stations has begun.
"Anand Vihar is poised to become a major transport hub in the trans-Yamuna region. Apart from the ISBT and the metro service that is set to link this place, the station would give passengers multiple options of transportation," he said.
Source: Express News service 31/Aug/2008
