NR GM reviews rly projects, inspects site of ropeway stn

Varanasi: Northern Railway’s general manager Shobhan Chaudhuri, after taking stock of the upcoming ambitious projects including remodelling of the Varanasi Junction (Cantt railway station) station, signature bridge on river Ganga, intermodal station at Kashi railway station and ropeway, on Wednesday said, “We are planning projects keeping the estimated population of next 40-50 years in view.”
Talking to reporters here Chaudhuri said, “All planning is being done in view of the future population and increasing passenger facilities.” Major focus is on smooth operation of trains along with increasing revenue among the priorities.
Chaudhuri made these remarks after witnessing a power point presentation on the projects of redevelopment of Varanasi Junction and re-modelling of its yard, new power cabin, passenger waiting lounge, TTE rest house, construction of third foot over bridge. He also discussed details of all the on-going and upcoming projects at the meeting with officials.
Before reaching Varanasi Junction, Chaudhuri along with a big band of officials reached the Kashi railway station to examine the proposals of its redevelopment for converting it into an intermodal station. He also inspected the site of the proposed rail-cum-road signature bridge on river Ganga. The signature bridge is proposed parallel to the iconic Malviya double-decker bridge. He kept looking at the details of all the upcoming projects provided by the NR officials accompanying him.
On reaching Varanasi Junction, he also inspected the site of the ropeway’s first station. Officials of NR’s Varanasi division, construction division and RITES also gave a powerpoint presentation on the ropeway project, which will be the first ropeway for public transport in an Indian city. He also went for window trailing of railway tracks on Varanasi-Sultanpur-Lucknow line.
Divisional railway manager Suresh Kumar Sapra and other NR officials welcomed Chaudhuri and apprised him of the huge footfall of people from across the globe at the NR stations, especially at spiritual, pilgrimage and historical sites. They also informed him about the on-going projects and works for upgradation of railway stations, passenger amenities and other facilities.