Architect Terry Farrell and technical consultants, who are preparing the master plan, are expected to submit the feasibility report for the project in February. The authorities are already in the process of pre-qualifying potential bidders who could be entrusted with the task of carrying out the required construction work.
The Railway ministry, meanwhile, appears to have zeroed in on some key aspects of the redevelopment plan.
To start with, the redevelopment plan envisages a three-level terminal building with segregated areas for arrivals and departures, thereby clearing the platform space for exclusive use of boarding and alighting.
An elevated vehicular drop-off on either side of the station would enable passengers to arrive directly at the departure level, which would have a waiting area and ticket counters. Those arriving at the station would alight at the ground-level platforms and then take escalators to go to the arrival hall in the basement to exit from the station.
“The idea is to reduce the number of people at the platforms,” says a railway official. “In addition the waiting area and ticket counters, the departure hall would be replete with commercial and retail outlets. Similarly, the arrival hall would provide the exits and transport interchange from the station,” the official adds.
The railway authorities intend to fully redevelop the track and platform areas at the station — the number of platforms to go up to 18 from the current 12. “All platforms would have a uniform length suitable to accommodate a 26-coach train. The platforms would be in parallel alignment to ensure that common high-rise roofing with sky lights covering the entire station area can be set up,” says another officer.
To rid the platforms of unnecessary crowding, there is a plan to centralise the parcel handling in basement area. “We plan to have mechanised conveyors under the platforms to facilitate the movement of parcels from one platform to another,” the official adds.
The redeveloped station would have separate parking areas for cars, two-wheelers and buses. The possibility of a big underground multi-level parking is also being explored.
Officials involved with the project say it is being planned in a way that the station becomes an extension of Connaught Place. The ministry plans to develop district zones for commercial, transport, residential and community usage on the stretch between the Outer Circle and the Khari Baoli Road.
Further, there are plans to relocate most of the existing railway offices, rest houses, service buildings and residential quarters located on railway land in the area. There is also a proposal to relocate the Amrit Kaur market on the Paharganj side in addition to some shops in Outer Circle of CP near the State Entry road. Ministry officials say improving the city roads connecting the station and reconstructing some of the existing flyovers may also form part of the redevelopment project.
If everything goes as planned, work on the project will start sometime later this year. According to officials, some development will be in place by 2010.