Old Delhi rly station charts new way to ease chaos

The Old Delhi Railway Station is finally opening up an alternate access route at the back to end the long-standing problem of congestion and bottleneck at the front entry of the station building.

The Old Delhi Railway Station is finally opening up an alternate access route at the back to end the long-standing problem of congestion and bottleneck at the front entry of the station building.

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Facing the SP Mukherjee Marg, one of the busiest arterial roads in the old Delhi area, the entry gates at the front have always been a source of pain for the thousands of visitors, thanks to traffic jam caused by buses, autos, cycle-rickshaws, private vehicles and pedestrians. The circulating area is also perennially jammed.

For years, the Northern Railway has been sitting on the proposal of opening up the second entry behind the station building near the GPO circle off Zoravar Singh Marg. Now, the building plan is ready, the space has been spruced up and the related work speeden up. The work plan worth R6 crore has been prepared. “We will finish the work by September. The effect of the second entry will be noticed immediately. The space will have its own circulating areas, waiting rooms and all facilities,” said Ashwani Lohani, divisional railway manager (Delhi), Northern Railway.

For the new entry, like the Ajmeri Gate side in New Delhi station, Old Delhi, too, will have a new building, the layout for which is ready.

Already the surface of 16 platforms at the station has been re-laid, while the apron beneath the tracks have been concretised for better cleanliness.

“Once the second entry is opened, the congestion on SP Mukherjee Marg will automatically ease. The passenger amenities at the front side will also see less crowd. The circulating areas will also be smooth and hassle-free. Overall, it will make the station more user friendly,” he said.