Nagpur: In a major relief for commuters struggling with congestion at the west entrance of Nagpur Railway Station, the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) has handed over the newly completed underground parking facility to Central Railway, paving the way for its opening within the next few days.
The facility, designed to accommodate around 1,600 two-wheelers and 290 cars, is expected to ease the daily scramble for parking space and improve traffic management outside the station. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Central Railway’s Nagpur Division, Aman Mittal, confirmed on Saturday that preparations were underway to make the facility operational within two to three days.
At present, private vehicles, autorickshaws and passengers compete for limited space near the west gate, resulting in congestion and disorder. The new arrangement is expected to bring greater discipline to vehicle movement while improving access to the station.
The handover comes nearly three years and three months after redevelopment work began in July 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone for the station redevelopment project in December 2022. The ambitious modernisation plan carries an estimated cost of Rs 487.77 crore.
Railway authorities push for early opening
The underground parking facility was awaiting final handover amid concerns over water leakage and seepage at certain locations. According to railway sources, RLDA wanted these issues addressed before transferring the premises to Central Railway.
However, railway authorities pressed for an early opening so that commuters could begin benefiting from the additional parking capacity without further delay. Sources said Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Vinayak Garg had directed officials to expedite the remaining work.
“Railway authorities pushed for an early opening, suggesting that pending repairs, improvements and finishing work could continue alongside operations, subject to safety requirements,” an official said.
With the handover completed, attention has now shifted to resolving the remaining deficiencies and ensuring that the facility is safe and convenient for public use. The priority is to address leakage-related concerns without unnecessarily postponing the availability of an important passenger amenity.
Dedicated lanes, prepaid autorickshaw stand planned
The basement parking area has designated vehicle bays, entry and exit ramps, barriers and marked parking spaces. Lifts and staircases will connect the underground facility with the station’s ground-level premises, allowing passengers to reach the station building conveniently.
Signboards will guide motorists through the parking area, while digital signage is also planned to improve navigation and vehicle movement.
The traffic-management plan extends beyond the basement. Vacant spaces around the facility are expected to be organised into dedicated vehicle lanes, a prepaid autorickshaw stand and a designated queueing area to prevent vehicles from crowding the station entrance.
Prepaid autorickshaw services will operate on the ground floor, separately from the underground parking facility. The segregation of parking, passenger pickup and autorickshaw operations is expected to reduce conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians.
Railway officials believe that these measures will help address the persistent congestion caused by haphazard parking and the concentration of autorickshaws near the west gate.
Round-the-clock security to strengthen surveillance
The redevelopment-linked improvements also include plans to strengthen security around the station entrance. Sources close to DRM Garg said a joint patrolling post for the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) is proposed, with round-the-clock deployment envisaged.
The post is expected to improve surveillance and help deter pickpocketing, unauthorised loitering and other criminal activities in the area. A separate traffic police booth has also been proposed to regulate vehicle movement and prevent congestion from recurring.
The security and traffic arrangements are intended to complement the new parking infrastructure, ensuring that the additional space translates into a more orderly and safer environment for passengers.
Larger redevelopment project targets March 2027
The underground parking facility is one component of the broader redevelopment of Nagpur Railway Station, which includes new station buildings, upgraded passenger amenities, improved circulation and better integration with other modes of transport. The station’s heritage building is also part of the modernisation plan.
The larger project is targeted for completion by March 2027. However, railway sources indicated that efforts were being made to accelerate the remaining components and complete the work as early as possible.
Once operational, the underground parking facility and associated traffic-management measures are expected to mark a significant improvement at the station’s west entrance, where congestion has long been a challenge for commuters, motorists and autorickshaw operators alike.
