Varanasi Junction
History
The first line to the temple town was opened from Howrah in 1862. The Chief Engineer of East Indian Railway Company, George Turnbull directed and built the route via Patna. In 1872, a line was added for Lucknow and in 1887, Malviya Bridge was opened to connect the city with Mughalsarai. Also, the bridge connected the Oudh and the Rohilkhand Railway with those of the East India Company at Mughal Sarai.
Infrastructure
The Varanasi Junction railway station has a modern Route Interlock System with an automated signaling system. Varanasi Junction railway station was ranked 14th among 75 busiest A1 category stations on the cleanliness scale. At present, there are 11 platforms while 1 more platform is being constructed to take off the load. Well, the station is equipped with water ATMs, escalators, Wifi, lifts, and many other public conveniences. Due to heavy inflow of tourists from across the country, the railway administration has planned to add the public announcements in other languages such as Tamil,Bengali, Malayalam, Kannada, Odia, Marathi, and Telugu.
Modernization
In 2018, the station was included in the list of 90 stations to be converted into world-class hubs. The redevelopment plan will include the induction of CCTV cameras, Wifi, renovation of the station buildings, modular water kiosks, water, ATMs, LED lights, lifts, escalators, stainless steel benches, and modular catering kiosks. Varanasi Junction railway station is also loaded with rooftop solar panels which can generate up to 600 KW and the administration is planning to add another 1000KW.
The upgradation and remodelling of Varanasi junction is being done with a major project of Rs 568.7 crore. A major thrust of the railways is on remodelling of yards, construction of new platforms, beautification, augmentation of passenger amenities such as waiting halls and approach roads. Besides, the modern GRP thana, the expanded building also has a world class waiting lobby, escalators, stairs for a new railway foot over bridge, cafeteria and other passenger amenities.
See also
- Banaras railway station
- Kashi railway station
- Varanasi City railway station
- Mughalsarai Junction railway station
- Kerakat railway station
References
- ^ "Google Maps".
- ^ "Bridge over the Ganges".
- ^ "Varanasi railway station ranks 14th on cleanliness scale".
- ^ "Cantt Railway station to have 3 more platforms".
- ^ "Varanasi station to have announcements in South Indian languages".
- ^ "World-class! Indian Railways to transform 90 stations into airport-like transit hubs".
- ^ "Solar power capacity boost at Varanasi Cantt station".
External links
- Varanasi travel guide from Wikivoyage