Bulldozers and hammers will soon be seen at New Delhi Railway Station. Yes, the busiest and largest railway station in the capital is set to be demolished. But why is this happening, when will it start, and what will happen to the trains currently operating from here? Here’s a complete overview of the plan.
When and Why Will It Be Demolished?
A part of New Delhi Railway Station will be demolished next March as part of a major redevelopment project. The company awarded the tender has already begun preparations. In the 2023 Budget, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had announced plans for NDLS redevelopment. This year, the tender was issued, and soon, a section of the station will be handed over to the company to begin work in March.
Platform 1 to 5 Will Be Demolished First
The redevelopment work will begin from the Paharganj side and is expected to be completed in 45 months. The company will first redevelop platforms 1 to 5, followed by platforms 6 to 9. The entire station—including all 16 platforms and tracks—will be rebuilt, along with new buildings on both sides. Seven flyovers will also be constructed around the station to ease traffic congestion.
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Redevelopment in Four Phases
According to railway sources, the redevelopment will be done in four phases:
- Phase 1 – Platforms 1 to 5 (expected to take about four months)
- Phase 2 – Platforms 6 to 9
(During these phases, platforms 10 to 16 will remain operational.) - Phase 3 – Platforms 10 to 13
- Phase 4 – Platforms 14 to 16
By the time work starts on Phase 3, platforms 1 to 9 will be fully functional again.
Holding Area to Be Ready by October
To manage passenger crowds, a holding area will be built by October on the Ajmeri Gate side. This space will be specifically for passengers with unreserved tickets. They can wait there until their train arrives, helping reduce congestion inside the station.
Where Will Trains Be Shifted?
Railway officials are planning to shift several trains to other stations. Two new platforms have been prepared at Anand Vihar, and three at Shakur Basti. Soon, some trains to Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir will operate from Shakur Basti, while those heading east (U.P., Bihar, West Bengal) will move to Anand Vihar.
Trains to Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat may be shifted to Hazrat Nizamuddin, while those to Rajasthan may depart from Delhi Cantt. Some services may also move to Old Delhi Station and Sarai Rohilla.
Before making any shifts, Indian Railways will officially notify passengers and release a complete list.