Sambalpur Railway Station's Rs 3.48 billion redesign plan revealed

The redevelopment of Sambalpur Railway Station into a world-class facility is underway, covering an extensive 70.92 acres of land with features such as a rooftop plaza, food court, kids play zone, and various other amenities. The estimated cost for this transformation is Rs 3.48 billion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the redevelopment by laying the foundation stone. This marks the beginning of the station's transformation into a city centre, aimed at benefiting the local tourism and textile-handloom industry in the state. The architectural inspiration for the station building comes from the nearby Sailashree Palace in Balangir, Odisha. The design will embody the theme Vikas Bhee, Virasat Bhee under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. As part of the redevelopment, the number of platforms will increase from four to seven, leading to a significant growth in the daily passenger flow. Currently serving about 11,580 passengers daily, the station's projected future daily count is expected to reach 27,353. A senior railway official associated with the project emphasised that the redevelopment plan considers the city's growth and train operations over the next 50 years. The new station design includes a 36m wide and 78m long roof plaza for passengers, featuring 21 escalators and 14 lifts across seven platforms. The plan also involves the construction of a seven-storey station building (ground plus six), replacing the existing structure. The platforms will be equipped with essential facilities such as retail outlets, ATMs, one station one product, pharmacies, internet services, and washrooms. The facelift of Sambalpur Railway Station in Odisha aims to enhance passenger amenities by incorporating modifications to add new lines, platforms, and pit lines. Upon completion, it is expected to significantly increase the train handling capacity while providing improved services for passengers, according to railway authorities.