After the announcement made by the Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee in July of turning the Pune Railway Station, along with other 49 railway stations across India, into a world-class station, the Pune Division of the Central Railway have sent an inception report putting down on paper the present status of the station.

Prabhat Sahai, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Central Railway Pune told this to reporters during a press conference on Thursday.

“We prepared an inception report which contains factual details about the terminus including the availability of land, details of the existing facilities at the station. The report has already been forwarded to the union ministry about a month back and we are waiting for the response from them,” Sahai said.

The next stage is putting down the terms of reference, which would lay down among other things, what kind of commercial activity would be carried out at the station complex. “Thereafter, contract for the development of the station would be given to a firm along with an appointment of a legal adviser,” Sahai said.

Sahai said that a proposal for remodeling of Pune coaching yard has also been submitted to the headquarter office. The features of the proposal are dedicated electric multiple unit (EMU) terminal for dealing 15 car rakes with two lines.

“We are also going to extend the existing platforms for accommodating 24/18 coach trains. In orde to facilitate running of 24 coaches trains, platforms at Uruli Kanchan, Kedgaon and Khadki have been extended to deal with 24 coach trains, “ he said adding, “There is a demand for turning a few trains like Jhelum Express, Patna Express into 24-coach train. And we are preparing for that.”

... contd.