New railway station complex to come up in Hubli

New railway station complex to come up in Hubli
The Hindu - Staff Correspondent

The project estimated to cost Rs. 36 crore will be implemented in two phases

AMBITIOUS: Union Minister of State for Railways R. Velu (extreme left) laying foundation stone for the New Hubli Railway Station Complex in Hubli on Sunday.

HUBLI: Union Minister of State for Railways R. Velu laid foundation stone for the new Hubli railway station complex here on Sunday.

He also performed the "bhoomi puja" which was attended by Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar; former Minister Jabbarkhan Honnalli; MP Pralhad Joshi; journalist Patil Puttappa and others.

Mr. Velu told said presspersons that South-western Railway (SWR) had set a target of 44 million tonnes of goods traffic in 2006-07. Passenger traffic had increased from 61.5 lakhs a month in 2003-04 to a projected 91.3 lakhs a month in the current year, with a projected growth of 48.5 per cent in three years. Gross earning in the current year was likely to touch Rs. 3,112.96 crore, he said.

SWR had been sanctioned Rs. 12.17 crore for improving passenger amenities during the current year and accordingly works were being taken up, he said.

The cost of the project, which would be taken up in two phases, was estimated to be around Rs. 36 crore. The first phase would be taken up at a cost of Rs. 5.3 crore and was likely to be completed in one year.

Lot of developmental works would be taken up during the second phase at a cost of Rs. 30 crore. Sources said that the time required for completion of the second phase would depend on the sanction and mode of release of funds, Mr. Velu said.

Works under the first phase involved conversion of the existing platform number 1 of Hubli Railway Station into a "through platform" (18 bogies), construction of a new high-level platform with a through line for 18 bogies and a short platform for nine bogies; construction of a foot overbridge; platform shelter; concourse; booking counters; and yard remodelling including signalling works.

According to the plan, the concourse measuring about 551 sq.m. will comprise a booking office, stalls/ booths, vending outlets, help desk, information facilitation counter, current reservation booking counter, IRCTC food plaza, tourist facilitation centre, cyber cafe and modular booths. The concourse will have an AC waiting hall with 150 seats, non-AC sleeper class with 300 seats and a ladies waiting hall with 100 seats.

Master plan

During the second phase, the remaining portion of the station according to the master plan will be built. It will include five high-level platforms (26 bogies, through) and two high-level platforms (22 bogies), saloon siding (16 bogies), new subway, new foot overbridge, six pit lines, yard remodelling for Hubli-Hebsur doubling and Hubli Ankola new line and bypass line. With the completion of both phases of the project, the Hubli Railway Station will have eight platforms.