Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore station will be redeveloped with world-class smart amenities, under the Redevelopment of Railway Stations project. With the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) and National Buildings Construction Company (NBCC) jointly executing the project, Nellore railway station is expected to be revamped at an estimated Rs 1 billion.Speaking anonymously, a South Central Railway official tells us, “The station will be developed on energy-efficient parameters and will implement green initiatives such as solar panels, LED lighting, green terrace, and more.” In addition, the redeveloped station will have a fire-fighting and fire alarm system, CCTV surveillance, BMS, power backup, public-address system, roads, pathways, parking lots, elegant landscape and horticulture, mechanical ventilation system for basements, solar power generation, STP with zero discharge, rainwater harvesting and a water supply and sewerage system, among other features.Situated on the busy Vijaywada-Chennai route, Nellore station has an average footfall of about 25,000 daily passengers and caters to over 50 trains per day. Elaborating further, the official says, “With its redevelopment, the station aims to provide user-friendly access, and other passenger facilities like FoBs, subway, eateries, parking outlets, AC waiting halls and small-budget hotels. New roads are being constructed along the parking lots and an additional connection from the parking lot to the station will be provided.”According to the official, all plans are finalised and prospective bidders can invest once the tenders are open. Reportedly, the station area to be developed is 69,000 sq ft, while the land for commercial development is around 2 lakh sq ft. The station is expected to have three levels (G+2), while the commercial building will have eight levels (G+7) and two basements.Currently, the station has four platforms, 4-m FoB, three escalators, three lifts, a booking office with seven counters, food plaza and three ATMs. - Diksha Jawle