Rs 200 Crore Bhuj Railway Station Revamp Nears Completion; Opening Likely by Diwali

Bhuj: The redevelopment of Bhuj Railway Station, which began in 2023, has reached its final stage, with the new station likely to be opened to passengers by Diwali.

The station is being redeveloped at an estimated cost of Rs 201.02 crore and has been significantly expanded to accommodate the growing number of passengers. Around 8,000 tonnes of steel have been used in the construction, reportedly more than the quantity of iron used in the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The old station, spread across around 970 square metres, has been expanded to 12,780 square metres. Its daily passenger-handling capacity has also increased from around 2,788 to 11,000–12,000 passengers.

To meet future requirements, an additional platform and two new pit lines have been constructed. One of the pit lines will facilitate the operation and maintenance of newer trains, including Vande Bharat services.

For better traffic management, the main entrance has one gate for entry and two gates for exits. Parking facilities for more than 500 vehicles have also been planned.

The redeveloped station will feature cafes, shops, a shopping plaza, waiting areas, a large concourse, a three-foot overbridge, 13 lifts and 8–10 escalators. Other passenger amenities will include Wi-Fi, ATMs, CCTV cameras and a modern public announcement system.

The station will also have several safety and environmental features, including a smoke detection system and an automatic firefighting system that activates water sprinklers in the event of a fire. An STP has been installed for wastewater treatment, while arrangements have also been made for rainwater harvesting and the recycling of treated wastewater for use in toilets.

A 500-kilowatt rooftop solar plant, electric vehicle charging facilities and a separate electrical substation are also part of the redevelopment.

The main building, staff rooms, restaurant and parcel office structures are ready, while interior work, flooring and furniture installation are in the final stages.

Sewage-related issues around the station have also been addressed with the construction of a new CC road outside the premises.

With the redevelopment work progressing rapidly, the new Bhuj Railway Station is expected to be ready to welcome passengers by Diwali, providing Kutch with a modern railway facility. DeshGujarat