If all goes as planned, Bandel station could see a world-class makeover soon. With a fund allocation of Rs 307 crore, the station will undergo a major redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

A mega foundation stone laying event is scheduled on Monday. As informed by general manager of Eastern Railway Milind K Deouskar, the PM will virtually lay the foundation stone of 28 stations of ER under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

The cost of the redevelopment project is Rs 704 crore, of which Bandel station has got the highest allocation of rupees 307 crore that would be spent on its facelift. “The station is being redeveloped with world-class facilities, including a 36-meter wide departure air concourse/roof plaza with foot-over bridges on two sides. The entire station is to be environment-friendly with streamlined entry/ exit points. The station would include all amenities like a waiting hall and so on,” said Mr Deouskar.

Talking about other stations picked up for redevelopment, Mr Deouskar said, “Redevelopment is being done at the other 27 stations also but those are minor. At 18 stations, major development is not possible at the moment.”

He further added, “Before this, the 60 Amrit Bharat stations, for which the foundation stones were laid for redevelopment, work is on. In 2024-205, we hope to complete the works of those, the foundation stone of redevelopment of which was laid in August 2023.”

As elaborated by the general manager of ER, the railways is also replacing the level-crossing gates with road-over bridges and underpasses to provide ease of movement for the passengers and road users. The PM will also inaugurate/lay foundation stone for 1,585 underpasses, of which 31 are under Eastern Railway jurisdiction. “Of the total, 10 are in West Bengal of which, the PM is going to lay the foundation stone for four underpasses and dedicate six to the nation on Sunday. In Eastern Railway there are around more than 500 level-crossing gates, where we will be approaching the local panchayats and the district magistrates for getting the NOC. Once we get the NOC, we will make more underpasses.”

According to the chief public relations officer of the Eastern Railway, Kausik Mitra, the design of the stations has been developed considering the sentiments of the local people or even the historical aspects of the station. “Gede, which is the last station of the ER and a taking over point to Bangladesh would have figures of eminent personalities,” said Mr Mitra, adding, “Kalyani, a dream project of our former CM Bidhan Chandra Roy, is being developed at a cost of Rs 7.85 crore. Likewise, Naihati, which was the home of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, will have an ethnic look that would resonate with the culture of the local people,” he added.