Habibganj railway station in Madhya Pradesh will become Indian Railways’ first airport-like hub by the end of this year. Being redeveloped by IRSDC, the Habibganj railway station will be a world-class transit hub with a dedicated concourse area. According to IRSDC MD and CEO, SK Lohia, a lot of civil work for the ambitious project has been completed. “I believe the Habibganj railway station will be completely redeveloped and ready by December-end 2019,” Lohia told Financial Express Online. “The work on the new concourse took more time than we expected due to the requirement of several clearances. But, I am hopeful that by December-end we will be able to complete work on this world-class station,” Lohia said.
IRSDC is redeveloping the Habibganj railway station on the PPP model along with the Bansal Group. While the station redevelopment will cost around Rs 100 crore, approximately Rs 350 crore will be spent on commercial development in and around the railway station.
IRSDC or Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited is responsible for executing the ambitious station redevelopment programme of the Narendra Modi government. The aim is to invite private sector participation to off world-class standards to passengers on major railway stations in India. Incidentally, the Habibganj railway station will also be India’s first to be made on the lines of the Heidelberg railway station in Germany.
Habibganj railway station redevelopment programme: Salient features
- Glass dome-like structure at the entrance
- Dedicated concourse area with airport-like retail outlets and food cafeterias
- Plush waiting lounge for passengers; clean toilets
- Refurbished, world-class interiors; gaming and museum zones
- Decongested platforms with exit underpass for passengers de-boarding trains
- “Green building” with LED lighting and waste water treatment for reuse
- Eastern side to have hotels, hospitals, spas and a convention centre outside the station
Apart from the Habibganj railway station, the Gandhinagar railway station, Surat railway station, Chandigarh, Anand Vihar, Baiyappanahalli stations are also being redeveloped into modern transit hubs.
