Ranchi, Oct 30: A delegation of the Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI) met Ranchi Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Karunanidhi Singh on Friday to discuss passenger convenience and traffic management during the redevelopment of Ranchi Railway Station.
The delegation raised concerns over the possibility of increased passenger and vehicular traffic once the existing building of Platform No. 1 is demolished as part of the construction work. Chamber President Tulsi Patel said alternative arrangements were necessary to minimise inconvenience to passengers and ease congestion on roads surrounding the station.
The Chamber suggested that the possibility of stopping trains arriving from Muri at Namkom Railway Station and trains coming from Lohardaga at Piska Railway Station be considered. It also requested that the alternative traffic route from the Outer Overbridge side remain open during the construction period.
DRM Karunanidhi Singh briefed the delegation on the arrangements being planned by the Ranchi Railway Division. Responding to the Chamber’s concerns, he assured that the existing platform building would be dismantled in phases rather than removed all at once to avoid inconvenience to passengers.
He said a ticket counter would be made available near the food plaza outside the old Platform No. 1 building. Passengers would also be able to access the station through the parcel office, while the existing foot overbridge would remain operational to facilitate movement to and from the station premises.
On traffic management, the DRM said the division had proposed widening the road around the station by approximately 22 metres, keeping future traffic and parking requirements in mind. He also indicated that the South Eastern Railway playground could be converted into a parking area in the interest of public convenience.
FJCCI General Secretary Rohit Agarwal stressed the need for better coordination between the Railways and concerned agencies to ensure passenger convenience and reduce traffic pressure on surrounding roads during the redevelopment work.
The Chamber’s Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee (DRUCC) member Vivek Agarwal said the initiatives proposed by the Ranchi Railway Division could help address the difficulties faced by passengers during the construction period.
The delegation included Chamber President Tulsi Patel, Vice President Vikas Vijayvargiya, General Secretary Rohit Agarwal, Co-Secretaries Amit Sharma and Pooja Dhadha, Treasurer Navjot Alang, Executive Member Ram Bangar and DRUCC member Vivek Agarwal.
