The Hindu : New Delhi News : Old Delhi railway station set for big changes

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Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007
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New Delhi

Old Delhi railway station set for big changes

Mandira Nayar

Move to restore original heritage and glory

A GRAND OLD STRUCTURE: Old Delhi railway station is all set for a makeover. Photo: Sushil Kumar Verma

NEW DELHI: The Old Delhi railway station was in the spotlight recently for all the wrong reasons, but the first station in the city is all set to make some big changes.

From de-cluttering its surroundings to concentrating on restoring the building to its old glory, Northern Railway is hoping to take the station into flashback mode.

One of the earliest railway stations built by the British in India, the present building of the Old Delhi railway station was constructed in the 1900s. Inspired by Shahjahan's Red Fort, the Old Delhi station may not be as imposing as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai, which has recently been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, but it is no less significant. And taking its history seriously, Northern Railway is hoping to capitalise on its legacy.

"Northern Railway had asked experts in the field of conservation to take a look at the building and make suggestions. These suggestions will be taken into account when work on the building is started. The building is an important heritage structure and we are not prepared to make any changes that will tamper with this character. We want to restore the building to its old glory and for that work will start on its façade soon,'' says Northern Railway spokesperson Rajeev Saxena.

With charming fireplaces hidden behind modern steel chairs and high ceilings, details that are lost on most passengers rushing around, the station needs a lot of work to regain its atmosphere.

Chaos

"The work on the building has to be in tandem with the surroundings. At the moment, there is a lot of chaos around the building. There is a crowded bazaar. Loaders pushing their handcarts pass from front of the station. This area needs to be de-cluttered and we are working with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for this,'' he says.

In an attempt to streamline traffic, the Kashmere Gate entrance to the station has also been opened recently. Northern Railway is also planning to upgrade facilities at the station.

"The signage at the station will also be revamped. The idea is to standardise them so that they will be recognisable,'' points out Mr. Saxena.

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