Our railway stations are getting a world-class makeover.
Just yesterday, PM Modi inaugurated the revamped Gandhinagar Capital (GNC) Railway Station in Gujarat—the country’s first to have a 5-star hotel attached to it.
Built with a modern design, the station is disabled-friendly, has an interfaith prayer hall, an AC baby feeding room, and 32 kinds of themed lighting to wow passengers.
Its luxury hotel has 318 rooms, and is expected to host guests coming to the Mahatma Mandir, a nearby convention centre. More shopping, food and entertainment options will be introduced at GNC, as the Railways plans to turn it into a ‘city centre rail mall’.
See pictures below:
मोदी जी के मार्गदर्शन से गांधीनगर रेलवे स्टेशन का कायाकल्प हुआ है।
ये तस्वीरें @narendramodi जी की दूरदर्शिता व जनता को विश्वस्तरीय सुविधाएँ देने के उनके संकल्प को दर्शाती हैं।
कल यहाँ से शुरू हो रही वाराणसी के लिए ट्रेन बाबा विश्वनाथ जाने वाले यात्रियों को एक बड़ी सौगात है। pic.twitter.com/tQxvTKQyWc
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 15, 2021
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Post the makeover, a stylish concourse (large hall) has also been added that will allow the station to handle 2200 passengers during peak hours. More features? A spacious ticketing lobby, a multipurpose lounge with centralised AC, and ample parking facilities.
Exclusive!
First Look of Gandhinagar Capital Railway Station’s concourse area.#NayeBharatKaNayaStation pic.twitter.com/zCQoO5elYx
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) July 15, 2021
As of July, a limited number of special trains are running through GNC, which you can check on the ixigo trains app. For ease of travel, the PM flagged off one more yesterday—the Gandhinagar Capital–Varanasi Superfast Express:
Today, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will flag off the new trains introduced between Gandhinagar Capital-Varanasi & Gandhinagar Capital-Varetha.
The regular run of these trains will commence from 17th July, 2021 onwards. #GujaratOnFastTrack @AshwiniVaishnaw pic.twitter.com/FPEGBLpoPz
— Western Railway (@WesternRly) July 16, 2021
This station is the first to debut out of 123 redevelopment works being carried out by the Indian Railways. Work is also in progress to turn the Ayodhya, Bijwasan (Delhi), Delhi Safdarjung, Gomtinagar (Lucknow), Habibganj (Bhopal) and Ajni (Nagpur) stations into airport-like facilities.
The Railways has also spent time upgrading stations that don’t need a complete makeover. Did you know about these?
Manduadih
LED lights, water fountains and an AC waiting lounge have beautified Manduadih station. The building’s architecture—inside and out—now reflects the spirit of Varanasi.
Prayagraj
Several stations across Prayagraj were painted with beautiful murals depicting Indian culture. Done ahead of the Kumbh Mela, it was a colourful surprise for passengers.
Lonavala
A new foot overbridge, and improvements in bookings, parking, circulation and the waiting hall will greet passengers at this holiday destination.
Mathura
New entry and exit gates. An improved booking hall. A revamped VIP room, and an improved circulating area–Mathura Railway Station got many useful upgrades.
For more railway news, keep following ixigo 🙂
Feature image credit: @AmitShah on Twitter
