The Jalandhar City Railway Station is set for a big transformation with a modernization project worth around ₹90–95 crore and the aim is to provide passengers with better, more comfortable and airport-like facilities.
The project will be completed in two phases and work is already moving ahead and as per reports the General Manager Rajesh Kumar Pandey recently visited the station to review the progress, checked existing passenger facilities and discussed plans for the new station building and also directed officials to complete the work on time so that passengers can benefit as soon as possible.
In the first phase major construction work will take place at the main entrance and the current station building will be demolished and replaced with a new and modern structure.
A wide 12-meter Foot Over Bridge (FOB) will be built to connect Platform 1 with Platforms 2 and 3, the old FOB will be removed and another 6-meter-wide FOB will also be constructed towards the Amritsar side.
To make movement easier a 3-meter-wide subway will be built connecting the main entrance area to Platform 1 and a goods lift will also be added at one end for convenience.
Other improvements include:
Better flooring on Platforms 1, 2-3, 1A and 1B
Development of the entry area and approach roads
A new Parcel Office at the main entrance
Shifting of the GRP office and old staff quarters
In the second phase the station will expand towards Kazi Mandi and Surya Enclave where a second entry point will be developed and new Platforms 4 and 5 will be built as an island platform and Platform 6 will be connected to the second entry along with this the existing FOBs will also be extended to connect these new platforms.
A major change will be the addition of six new railway tracks and out of these three tracks will serve the new platforms while the other three will be used for train parking (stabling lines) and the goods handling area will be shifted outside the station premises making more space for passenger movement.
Once completed the station will be more spacious, modern and easier to navigate with better bridges, subways and more tracks, train speed and frequency are also expected to improve and along with this passengers will also get access to commercial areas where they can spend time while waiting for their trains.
Railway officials say that after the upgrade, traveling through Jalandhar City Railway Station will become much more comfortable and convenient for everyone.