Nagpur:
A two-member expert team from Belgium has evinced keen interest in further developing the Nagpur railway station into a world-class terminal.
After visiting Nagpur station, the team has agreed to draft a master plan to be prepared within six months.
Technical director Marc De Vreese and architect Eric Kellens of Euro Station, a Belgian government-owned company, who have extensive expertise in transforming historical railway stations into modern international terminals, said there was enough scope for developing Nagpur into a world-class stoppage.
Indian Railways had on August 12, 2012, signed an agreement with Belgium to modernise and re-develop some of the country's railway stations, Divisional Railway Manager of Nagpur division (CR), Brijesh Dixit told PTI.
The Belgium team was in the city as part of its commitment to explore possibilities to redevelop Nagpur, which is among 50 stations designated to be developed across the world.
Dixit said the same team had transformed historic Antwerp station in Belgium, which was facing demolition.
The team was impressed to note how 125 trains and 60,000 passengers were handled by the administration daily with limited resources.
The team visited the base kitchen, retiring rooms, lobby, etc. and were positive about the scope for development. It also looked into the possibilities of easing congestion and create better mobility. The station re-development will include technical modifications, Mr Vreese said.
The station building which has completed 83 years is a heritage structure and utmost care will be taken to develop it without damaging its original fabric, he added.
"Nagpur in Central Railway which connects north-south and east-west, is the pilot project to start with. Things will begin with master planning, followed by technical feasibility," Mr Vreese said.
"By November this year, all ground work will be done by steering and working groups of experts to determine and define scope and modalities of activities and projects. Things will be finalised during the Belgium Prince's visit to India in November," he said.