Mar 2, 2021, 7:15 PM IST
With existing terminals in Bengaluru already crowded and to decongest the same, the Indian Railways ambitious, country's first airport-like train terminal will be operational from March 10.
The construction of the train terminal built at the cost of Rs 314 crore, started in 2015-2016 and was supposed to open last year, but due to a pandemic there was a delay, say, officials.
Outlining the unique features of this butterfly-shaped terminal, Divisional Railway Manager AK Verma says, this will not only be India's first airport-like terminal but also the first centralized air-conditioned building as far as the train terminals are concerned.
There was a need for the additional terminal in Bengaluru as existing terminals at KRS and Yeshwanthpur are crowded. As per the data from South Western Railways, at present 162 pairs of express trains and 109 pairs of passengers ply on the existing stations. To decongest this burden, a new terminal was planned and the project was sanctioned in 2015-2016.
To honour India's eminent engineer Sir M Visveswaraya, the terminal has been named after him and it will be inaugurated by Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa and the department.
AC trains from here can reach almost all the parts of the country but most trains will probably head towards Chennai from this terminal initially.
What is there in this terminal?
The terminal is the third one in Bengaluru and is spread across 40 acres in the Bengaluru East part between Banaswadi and Baiyappanahalli.
The building looks like a butterfly and is similar to an airport. The roof is all-weather resistant.
There is a four-way entry and two exit points to the terminal.
Sensors and metal detectors at the entry points are to prevent banned items from being smuggled from the terminal. The seven platforms are well connected with subways and overfoot bridge. To connect to the overfoot bridge, there are options for passengers to choose between escalator, steps, and lift.
The waiting rooms for the general public, ladies and VVIP's also have a swanky washroom and there is a facility for people to take a shower and there are sensor lights and when there is no movement for ten minutes, the lights will go off automatically.
This apart for safety purposes, the terminal is fitted with 300 plus CCTV cameras and the data will be shared with the state crime record bureau. Dog squads and metal detectors will also ensure no explosives are taken inside the terminal.
The maintenance of the terminal will be handed over to private and through the digital display of infotainment connect, the Railways plans to source additional revenue.