Surat rly station to get facelift

Western Railway would spend Rs 10 crore for the modernisation of the Surat railway station.

Dinesh Mandalaywala, president, Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry, at a meeting with Western Railway officials on Saturday had suggested various steps for the expansion of the railway station.

Mandalaywala said: "Surat has developed at an unprecedented rate in the last few years. The Surat station is the highest revenue earner for railways in the entire state. But facilities for passengers are not up to the mark."

"We suggested during the meeting that Udhna railway station, which is four km away from the Surat station, be developed. Udhna station can be used for many trains, especially the ones that rune on the Tapti line, which would reduce the rush at the Surat station. We also suggested that the goods yard, which is close to Surat station, be developed," Mandalaywala said.

"There is only one ticket reservation office at the station. So we also mooted booking centres at Athwalines, Rander and Puna Kumbharia," Mandalaywala said.

"We also brought to the notice of the railway officials the poor parking facilities at the Surat railway station. The parking space is limited, causing a great deal of problems to the citizens. We also raised the issue of high parking charges at the station," he said.