Heritage meets functionality: Citizen amenities
   Date :03-Nov-2025

nagpur railway station
 IAS (Retd), Chairman, HCC, Nagpur, and Professor of Practice (Public Policy) at IIM Nagpur.
 
 HCC Perspective Part 2   
 
By Prof Anoop Kumar :
 
Today, Nagpur Railway Station serves over 60,000 passengers daily. It is a vital interchange on the Howrah–Mumbai and Delhi–Chennai corridors, equipped with multiple platforms and freight terminals, digitised ticketing and passenger services. It also has multimodal transport integration, eco-friendly infrastructure and disabled-friendly access. In my discussions with officials of the Agency carrying out the work, I have gathered information of the modern amenities that will be provided under Nagpur Railway Station Redevelopment
1. Passenger Amenities:
• The new multifunctional station building next to Heritage Railway Station building is coming up as part of the redevelopment project. This will be fully air-conditioned Central Hall or Concourse with waiting lounges, ticketing counters, and information kiosks.
• It will have modern waiting halls for Sleeper, AC, and upper-class passengers. It will also house executive lounge and VIP area with premium seating, refreshments, and wi-fi.
• Food courts and restaurants offering multiple cuisine options.
• Retail and convenience stores (pharmacy, bookshop, essentials, etc.) within concourse and platform areas.
• Drinking water points and modern washrooms across all passenger zones.
• Child care/baby feeding rooms and first aid centres on both East and West sides.
2. Accessibility & Passenger Circulation
• Dedicated arrival and departure zones to streamline passenger movement.
• Central Concourse and Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) interconnecting all platforms.
• 28 Lifts and 32 Escalators are being provided for seamless and barrier-free vertical movement between concourse and platforms.
• Tactile flooring and Braille signage for visually impaired passengers.
• Wheelchair access and battery-operated carts for elderly and differently-abled passengers.
3. Smart Facilities
• Digital information display boards for real-time train updates.
• CCTV surveillance and public address systems integrated with the Station Control Room.
• Wi-Fi connectivity throughout concourse and waiting areas.
• Smart ticketing systems and automatic fare collection gates
(provisioned for future).
• Fire alarm and detection system with emergency communication panels.
4. Circulation & Connectivity
• Separate entry and exit gates for vehicles and pedestrians to avoid congestion.
• Multimodal integration with city buses, metro, autos, and taxi zones.
• Dedicated pickup and drop-off bays, parking for cars, two-wheelers, and buses, and electric vehicle charging points.
• Service roads for maintenance and emergency access.
5. Building and Platform Infrastructure
• Redeveloped platforms with granite flooring, modern roofing, improved lighting, and clear signage.
• Energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems.
• Rainwater harvesting, underground drainage, and sewage treatment systems.
• Modern façade lighting with preservation of the station’s heritage character.
• Fire safety systems compliant with NBC and railway standards.
6. Sustainability & Environment
• Green building design with maximum daylight utilization and energy efficiency.
• Solar panels installed on roofs for renewable power generation.
• Rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling systems.
• Landscaped gardens and green belts within the Station campus. 
 
 
 

nagpur railway station new 
Role of Nagpur Railway station in economic development of Vidarbha:
 
Nagpur railway station plays a strategic role in the economic development of the Vidarbha region. Over last two decades, Nagpur has emerged as the hub of export of agricultural products specially non-basmati rice. The exponential growth is due to Nagpur’s geographic and infrastructural advantages. Being located at the crossroads of India’s major rail routes, Nagpur enjoys the advantages of key transit hub for goods moving across the country. It connects efficiently to major ports like Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva), and Visakhapatnam, which are crucial for agri exports. The station is equipped with freight handling infrastructure that support bulk transportation of agricultural commodities which will be further advanced after completion of ongoing project. Availability of containerised cargo services would help maintain the quality of rice and other agriculture during transit and simplifies customs procedures for export.
 
Looking beyond Heritage:
 
More than a station a soul of the city for Nagpur’s residents, the railway station is woven into the fabric of daily life. It is where chai vendors greet the dawn, families reunite with joy, and generations have shared stories of arrival and departure. The centenary of Nagpur Railway Station is more than a milestone — it is a moment of reflection, restoration, and renewal. As the station steps into its second century, the blend of heritage conservation and infrastructural modernisation ensures that it remains a proud emblem of India’s railway legacy. Restoring its glory is not just about preserving bricks and mortar, but about honouring the stories, journeys, and dreams that have passed through its platforms. As the refurbished station steps into its second century, it stands not just as a gateway — but as a guardian of legacy, a beacon of progress, and a symbol of the city’s soul.