Delhi gets new railway station near airport
IN a significant development that promises to ease the travel for Delhiites, the National Capital is slated to gain another major railway station, following Old Delhi, New Delhi, Nizamuddin and Anand Vihar stations.
The proposed state-of-the-art facility at Bijwasan, located near the International Airport, has cleared all land-related hurdles, setting the stage for enhanced connectivity across several Indian states.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has played a pivotal role in this advancement by dismissing a petition that contested the ownership of the land designated for the railway station’s expansion. This land, previously embroiled in claims of belonging to the Forest Department, spans an area of 1,24,000 square meters.
The NGT bench, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava, along with Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Expert Member Dr. A. Senthil Vel, concluded that the land in question does not fall under forest territory. This decision came after careful consideration of the submissions made by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) and the Delhi Government’s Forest Department.
The current Bijwasan station, which is relatively small, is set for a major overhaul. Upon completion, it is expected to operate trains to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. This expansion is not just about scaling up; it aims to transform Bijwasan into a critical transport hub, especially given its proximity to the Dwarka Sector-21 Metro Station.
Moreover, the project includes plans for an interstate bus terminal equipped with modern amenities, signifying a leap towards making Bijwasan a pivotal point for bus, metro, train, and air travel.
Impact on Delhi’s Transport Landscape
The introduction of the Bijwasan Railway Terminal is anticipated to significantly decongest the New Delhi Railway Station by diverting trains bound for the western and central parts of India. This shift is expected to alleviate traffic jams in the surrounding areas, marking a substantial improvement in the city’s transport dynamics.
This project represents a collaborative effort between the Government of India, the Delhi Government, and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC), underlining a shared commitment to enhancing the capital’s infrastructure and connectivity.
Scheduled for completion by 2025, these corridors aim to provide considerable relief in transit for Delhi’s population, making travel more accessible and efficient across the city and beyond.
