The upgraded station will have ultra-modern amenities such as a large covered parking area, air-conditioned lobby, round-the-clock electricity, high-speed escalator, lifts, offices, shops, drinking water facility, air concourse, and hotels.
Indian Railways is upgrading the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station in West Bengal to provide better, additional and enhanced passenger amenities.
It will be the country’s first international terminal station. It will also include a terminal for the World Heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR).
The upgradation work has already commenced and is estimated to cost Rs 334.72 crore.
The New Jalpaiguri Railway Station falls under the jurisdiction of the Katihar Division of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) zone.
It is one of the largest and busiest railway stations in the NFR zone. It serves as a crucial point for all the northeastern states.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the facelift on 30 December 2022.
This railway station has completed several infrastructural works, including the foundation of the secondary station and Arrival-1 building, the shifting of the UTS cum passenger peservation system (PRS) and MCO office, the casting of the test pile for the elevated road, and commissioning of the site office and conference room.
The railways aims to complete the entire upgradation work by 2025.
The overall built-up area of the station will be around 37,000 square metres.
The authorities are designing the station to provide passengers with an airport-like feel and comfort.
The upgraded station will have ultra-modern amenities such as a large covered parking area, air-conditioned lobby, round-the-clock electricity, high-speed escalator, lifts, offices, shops, drinking water, air concourse, and hotels.
To make the station more accessible for Divyang individuals, the railways will install 12 escalators and 10 lifts. We plan to enhance security by placing CCTV cameras at various locations throughout the premises, reports Financial Express.