Byappanahalli station to be transformed into a multi-functional one

Byappanahalli station to be transformed into a multi-functional one
Centre okays swanky station
Bangalore:

Byappanahalli in Bangalore is all set to become a world class railway station with Centre giving its nod to the proposal, which also approved transforming Mysore station into a multi-functional one.

While construction for the world class station is likely to commence from end-October, work for the Mysore station would begin from December.

The Amit Mitra Committee, which was appointed by the Railways Ministry to recommend “innovative ways of financing and implementing railway projects for expansion and modernisation," has finally recommended this to the Centre.

“We have received the recommendation of the Amit Mitra committee and we will implement them wherever necessary on public-private partnership,” Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee told reporters in New Delhi on Monday. Her predecessor Lalu Prasad had also mentioned about developing Byappanahalli, located on the eastern part of the city, as the third railway terminal for the city along with world class facilities. But nothing had happened.

News scheme

However, the proposal of developing Mysore along with other 12 stations into a multi-functional one, is a new scheme.

As per the draft plan, the Bangalore Station should have separate arrival and departure lounges, shopping malls, escalators, food courts, automatic ticketing system and a hi-tech electronic queue management system for passengers.

The station handles 71 pairs of trains, and more than 1.5 lakh passengers use its premises every day.

“The Masterplan would be ready by next month and construction should begin by end of October or beginning of November,” FICCI secretary general Amit Mitra, who was also present, told reporters.

50 stations

The minister had mentioned in her budget speech that in total 50 stations across the country would be developed into world class ones.
The multi-functional stations would have shopping facilities, medicine shops, budget hotels, cyber cafe and similar facilities.