In makeover mission, Railways does a balancing act

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus adorned by its imposing dome, the Jaipur Railway Station with its palace-like arched facade, Chennai’s Egmore station boasting a distinctive Indo-Saracenic style, and smaller picturesque stations like Ballari and Coonoor are among 30 heritage structures, in the larger pool of 1,337 railway stations, that have been shortlisted for a makeover under the ambitious Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

In all, the Indian Railways has categorised 79 railway stations as “heritage structures”.

While stations are given “heritage” status by the Heritage Directorate of Indian Railways, the ₹60,000-crore Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is being helmed by the Gati Shakti Directorate and Station Development section of the transporter. According to official data, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is set to be renovated at a cost of ₹1,813 crore, Egmore at ₹842 crore, Kanpur at ₹767 crore, Jaipur at ₹717 crore, Nagpur at ₹589 crore, and Lucknow at ₹494 crore.

“We are working closely with the Heritage wing to ensure that upgradation of stations to introduce passenger-friendly facilities does not interfere in any way with their heritage value,” explained a senior rail official. 

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus for instance, is a UNESCO heritage site, and has seen incremental infrastructural additions since the 1870s.

“Its facade is a melange of traditional Indian palace architecture and Victorian Gothic design. However, additional floors for the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) office were built at the back of the building in the 1930s, which we are removing. The DRM office is being shifted to another complex,” a senior railway official closely working on the project said. 

“We want to open up this space for building a public park. We are adding more viewing galleries near the platform area, so that passengers can see the heritage structure which is replete with historic domes, turrets and pointed arches, from multiple points,” he added.  

There is also a plan to install 100 to 200 automated fare collection (AFC) gates, which require scanning of a QR code. “In future, tickets will bear QR codes, much like Metro tickets in many cities. This will help with regulating entry to the station,” the official added. 

Stone marvel

Built in stone and featuring two towers with huge curved windows and medieval entrances, Karnataka’s Ballari is one of the oldest railway stations in India dating back to 1869. The building is currently painted in white and rust orange colours. “Its heritage look is being aesthetically preserved in the development work. We are restoring the stone facade by sand blasting, filling the cracks by pressure grouting and using water-proofing technique to bring out the natural look of the building,” the official added. 

“Similar work is being carried out in Coonoor station, which is another UNESCO world heritage site, and is part of the picturesque Nilgiri Mountain Railways,” another official said. 

After the Heritage Committee suggested that officials revisit their plans to restore Udhagamandalam and Coonoor stations, officials said they were working in close consultation with the committee to ensure the heritage buildings do not lose their original glory. Revamp of the stations will likely cost around ₹7 crore each.

“The committee has suggested that plans for a new cafeteria at Udhagamandalam be shelved, and that an old stone structure used by the Railway Protection Force can house the cafeteria to maintain continuity of look. In Coonoor, the structure being constructed in the front to be used as a circulating area for passengers will emulate the heritage building,” the official said. 

A Grade II heritage structure, the Nagpur Railway Station built in 1925 is facing challenges due to increasing footfalls and choc-a-bloc vehicle parking, which obscure its facade. “We are constructing underground parking facilities at Nagpur. Also, improved facade lighting is being introduced to highlight the elegant architectural details of the structure,” officials explained. 

Inspired by past

Lucknow’s palatial Charbagh station, one of India’s most beautiful railway buildings, was constructed in 1926 with a confluence of Rajput, Awash, and Mughal styles. Officials said the main heritage station is being retained without any design changes. “The two new arrival blocks being constructed to ease passenger entry will have the same architectural theme as the existing building, and the material used is sandstone, which gels with the main heritage building,” officials added. 

At Jaipur station too, the design of the new structures will be harmonious with the heritage structure, incorporating materials and elements that complement the original design.

In Lucknow, Kanpur, and Egmore, newer buildings which serve as second entry points are being revamped, officials said. “When the British constructed these stations, entry was only from one side. But over the years, the cities expanded and second entry points sprung up at stations across the country,” they explained. 

In Thanjavur, the capital city of the Chola kings, proposed designs for the new block and arrival gates borrow from the temple architecture of the Cholas. “Similarly, for Puri railway station, the design for the additional arrival gates was inspired by the Jagannath Puri Temple,” officials said.