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Dimapur, Dec. 29 (EMN): The New Jalpaiguri Railway station which is set to be proposed for redevelopment to be a station with world class facilities will get its foundation stone laid on Dec. 30 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
An update from the NFr issued on Dec. 29 informed that apart from this, fulfilling the long pending demand of the people of the region, PM Modi will also dedicate the stretch of 88.17 km long Ambari Falakata – New Maynaguri and New Maynaguri – Gumanihat Double Line project.
The New Jalpaiguri Railway station will be set up as first international train terminal of the country with world class facilities which will include terminal for the UNESCO world heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.
The station is being designed to have ultra-modern amenities like spacious roof plaza, concourse with all passenger amenities at one place along with provisions for retail, cafeterias, and recreational facilities.
For smooth movement of traffic, adequate parking facilities with podium parking in front of the building will also be set up.
The station is said to have 12 lifts and 10 escalators and adequate facilities for divyang people. There will be complete segregation between arriving and departing passengers.
The station building will have range of green technology like solar energy, water conservation and rain harvesting. The overall built-up area of the station will be about 37,040 sq m.
The approximate estimated cost of the entire work for redevelopment of the New Jalpaiguri station will be about INR 337.42 crore which is expected to complete in a time frame of 30 months where the redevelopment of New Jalpaiguri station will further help in boosting various sectors of local economy including travel, tourism, etc. in North Bengal as well as Sikkim, the update informed.
The Ambari Falakata – New Maynaguri and New Maynaguri – Gumanihat Double Line project covering a length of 88.17 km is spread over Coochbehar and Jalpaiguri districts of West Bengal, has been completed at an estimated cost of INR 1461 crore.
There are 24 major bridges, 5 Road Over Bridges and 11 stations in this section. The doubling line will speed up train operations and augment train handling capacity towards the Northeast region which will bring overall economic development of the region due to faster movement.
A new Vande Bharat Express train between Howrah to New Jalpaiguri will also to be flagged off by Narendra Modi on Dec. 30 from Howrah station which is said to be the first Vande Bharat Express for West Bengal as well as Eastern India.
The successful trail run of the Vande Bharat train has also been done ahead of its flagging off.
The Howrah – New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express will be in operation from both directions six days a week except Wednesday.
Train No. 22301 (Howrah – New Jalpaiguri) Vande Bharat Express will depart from Howrah at 5:55 am to reach New Jalpaiguri at 1:25 pm on the same day.
In return direction, Train No. 22302 (New Jalpaiguri – Howrah) Vande Bharat Express will depart from New Jalpaiguri at 15:05 hours to reach Howrah at 22:35 hours on the same day.