Nagpur station's new underground parking ready, to open before Dussehra

The first facility of the Nagpur railway station redevelopment project will be available to the public before Dussehra. The underground parking on the western side of the station is fully ready. The Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) has handed it over to the Nagpur division management of Central Railway.

Aman Mittal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Central Railway's Nagpur division, said preparations are under way to start the western-side underground parking within the next 2-3 days. Cars and two-wheelers will be parked below. The division has begun preparations on a war footing.

The parking is claimed to have space for 1,600 two-wheelers and 290 four-wheelers. The entry and exit ramps are ready and a barrier has been installed at the entry point. Drivers will have to park within the marked bays, which is meant to give the place an airport-like feel.

A lift has been installed to reach the ground floor from the parking and enter the station premises. Stairs will also be available. Signage in white on blue boards will show people the way out of the parking. The signage will soon be made digital.

Those coming to the station premises by vehicle will now have to enter through a new arrangement. The new entry gate has been built just before the city bus stop on Tekdi Road. Car and two-wheeler drivers will enter from here. Those heading to the drop-and-go lane will enter from the left of the underground parking ramp. For now only one exit lane is operating. It is said that a second lane will also open once some construction is completed.

The long-stalled pre-paid auto-rickshaw booth is also likely to get a space. According to officials, the new pre-paid auto booth will be built on the ground floor. The division has begun preparations for this as well and plans to start it within the next 2-3 days. Officials are still considering how many auto-rickshaws may wait at the booth at one time.

Under the redevelopment, two large foot overbridges (FOBs), of 108 metres and 210 metres, are to be built to link the western side of the station directly with the eastern side. Two elevated concourses will also come up. To make way, the old reservation counter and the more than 100-year-old RMS building have been demolished from the buildings on either side of the heritage building. The building housing the Railway Protection Force and the old AC waiting room has been half demolished. Passengers will be able to reach their platforms directly through these FOBs.