Ludhiana, March 5 : The work of redevelopment and upgradation of Ludhiana railway station falling under Firozpur Division through Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contract has been going on speedily.

The Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw had approved the Rs.528.95 Crore project after a demand for the same was raised by MP (Rajya Sabha) from Ludhiana Sanjeev Arora both in and outside the Rajya Sabha. Arora had even personally met Vaishnaw to press upon his demand in the larger interest of Ludhiana and its residents. The city’s railway station was established way back in the year 1860 during the Britishers Rule. And since then, this railway station – a junction has never undergone any major renovation.

Giving more details of the project here today, Arora said the project has been allocated to a private contractor. He added the Northern Railway General Manager has informed him that the project’s contract value is worth Rs.472.94 Crore. The Letter of Award (LOA) was issued on December 19, 2022 and the work commenced on February 2, 2023.

Arora has been apprised of status of project as on February 23, 2024. As per the status report, the work of geotechnical investigation and survey work has been completed. Besides, the work of architectural design approvals is also cent percent completed. Seventy-five percent work of structural design approvals and MEP design approvals has been completed.

He said as per the status report, 98 per cent of relocation work has been completed. Regarding multi-level car parking (MLCP), the status report reveals that 2nd floor slab’s 80 percent work is completed and the remaining steel binding work is in progress. With regard to East Side Main Station Building construction, the status report mentions that Main station foundation work is in progress. 40 per cent of the plinth beam has been cast.

Further, Arora said status report further mentions that sub-structure piling work of elevated approach road is in progress and 3 Pier have been casted. Regarding East side U/G Tank, the status report mentions that UG tank Structure work has been completed. However, with regard to Concourse and Foot over-bridge (FOB) the status report mentions that detailed design approval is in progress. About Roof and Cover Over Platforms (COP), the status report mentions that a detailed design approval is in progress.

Also, the status report mentions that the work of construction of multi-storied quarters of Type-II (A&B Block), Type-II (C&D Block), Type-III (E&F Block) and Type-IV are in progress. The work of Rest House terrace slab has been completed and Mumty column steel binding work is in progress. Similarly, the work of Hospital Building Terrace slab has been completed and Mumty column steel binding work is in progress.

Meanwhile, Arora has appreciated the railway authorities for undertaking the construction activities in full swing. He said he is satisfied with the work done so far. He hoped that everything would go as per the given deadlines. He hoped that redeveloped and upgraded Ludhiana railway station would be a major asset for the city and its residents. He pointed out that the terminals of this railway station will be no less than a state-of-the-art airport. He said the people of Ludhiana might not have ever imagined of the facilities and infrastructure being created at this railway station. The completion time of project is the first half of 2025.