Sealdah Stn set to receive major overhaul, 4 platforms to get longer

Kolkata: The Sealdah station is all set to get a major facelift, in a bid to be in the A1 category of railway stations in the country. The Railways is spending a whopping Rs 28 crore for the overhaul, which will be done in phases.

"We are taking all possible measures to get acknowledged as an A1 station. The amenities for the passengers are being given top priority," a senior official of the Sealdah division of Eastern Railways said.

The length of platforms 2, 3, 4 and 4A of Sealdah station is being increased to accommodate trains with 12 bogies. There is a footfall of more than 1.8 million people on a daily basis in Sealdah and the count is increasing by leaps and bounds.

"The enhancement in the platform length will help in smooth plying of more 12 bogie trains," the official added.

The length of these four platforms is 275 metres, which will be raised to 350 metres, as per plans. A new platform - 9D, will be added to the existing facility. The Railways have already procured the land for construction of the new platform. The space for the ticket counters is being shortened and the shops in and around the station are also being removed.

The administrative offices at the first and second floors are being shifted to create an executive lounge along the lines of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. There will be waiting rooms for both first class, second class as well as local train passengers. The space where the station superintendent's office is lodged, will now have a food court.

The display boards at the station will be upgraded and there are also plans of coming up with a digital museum in the station premises. "We are also planning to create a ramp from Vidyapati Setu to facilitate vehicle movement to the station," the official said.