As part of elevating the Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station to international standards, a master plan has been presented to renowned architects for making the final changes.
A pre-bid meeting was held at Thiruvananthapuram on Monday and the master plan prepared by the Railways was presented before the architects. To fine-tune the plan, the changes to be made in it will be presented on January 9, 2013.
Divisional Railway Manager (Works) Shaji Roy said that 13 firms participated in the pre-bid meeting. The master plan was presented to 20 architects, who will make a detailed study on the changes to be made.
‘’Another pre-bid meeting will be held on January 9 and a detailed discussion will be held. The execution of the project will start only after the final master plan is approved,’’ said Shaji Roy.
He pointed out that the tender proceedings for making one of the oldest railway stations in the country of international standards can start by the first quarter of the next financial year. The works are also expected to start in the next financial year, he said.
There will be a total facelift for the main entry and exits for the public, extension of skywalk, escalators and lifts and integrated surveillance camera. The existing parking facilities will be totally rearranged.
The pay-and-use toilet facilities will be upgraded and a garbage disposal system will be installed. The infrastructure of the waiting rooms will have a total change.
Improvement of the cloak room facilities will give special emphasis on individual lock facility for tourists. The booking and enquiry offices will be given a facelift and a facility for booking by tourists will be introduced.
The project is to convert the station to international standards without losing its heritage status. Union Railway Ministry has already sanctioned Rs 10 crore for the development work.
After Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram Central was selected to be elevated to international status.