Indore Railway Station Redevelopment: Logistical Issues Likely If Project Not Ready Before Simhastha: Kailash Vijayvargiya

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): With the Simhastha in Ujjain just three years away, concerns have been raised about the timely completion of the ambitious Indore Railway Station redevelopment project.

Urban administration and housing minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, addressing a review meeting on Friday, cautioned railway officials that if the construction is not completed within the deadline, it could lead to serious logistical issues during the massive religious gathering.

“Simhastha will bring lakhs of people through Indore station. If the work is not completed on time, the situation could become chaotic. What preparations are in place to avoid this?” Vijayvargiya asked.

Railway officials assured that the project is progressing in phases and that passenger movement will begin as soon as the first two floors of the new seven-storey terminal are completed. “Work is being carried out in 60-meter sections to ensure ongoing train operations remain unaffected. The station will be fully functional for passengers after the initial two floors are ready,” said a senior railway officer.

The meeting, organised by MP Shankar Lalwani, brought together city public representatives, railway officials, the district administration, municipal corporation, traffic police, business leaders, and intellectuals to gather feedback and discuss key aspects of the station's redevelopment.

Lalwani said the station would be “ultra-modern” and that adjacent land would be acquired as needed to support the expansion. A proposal will also be sent to the Railway Ministry to revamp the Shastri and Patel bridges.

Discussions also included easing congestion at Platform No. 1 and rerouting buses from the nearby Sarvate Bus Stand during the construction phase.

The station redevelopment is expected to be completed by 2028, well in time for Simhastha. If executed as planned, the project could become a cornerstone of Indore’s transportation infrastructure for decades to come.

Key features of the new station include:

• A seven-storey terminal with modern passenger amenities

• Basement parking with capacity for 500 four-wheelers

• 26 lifts to facilitate vertical movement

• Integrated metro connectivity

• Enhanced passenger capacity of 10,800 passengers per hour, designed to meet needs for the next 50 years

• Total project cost of Rs 450 crore, allocated in the railway budget

• Execution by Monte Carlo Company of Kolkata

Railway authorities presented a detailed construction roadmap, including:

• Gradual demolition of the existing building

• Use of traffic indicators and a help desk for commuters

• Coordination with traffic police to manage construction vehicle flow

• Continued operation of all 52 daily train services, ensuring that approximately 7,500 daily passengers are not inconvenienced