Two days after environmentalists objected to the ongoing developmental work at the Ooty railway station, the Salem division of the southern railways on November 1 clarified that the developmental works were underway under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme keeping in mind the heritage value of the station.
The Salem division stated in a release that the Ooty railway station will be redeveloped at a cost of INR 7 crore and Coonoor railway station will be redeveloped at a cost of INR 6.7 crore. The upgradation works will provide modern amenities to passengers at the two stations and beautification of the stations would be carried out, it added.
Pointing out that the Ooty and Coonoor railway stations are part of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR), which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the release stated better amenities need to be provided to passengers and tourists as these are functional railway stations.
Such provisions will only enhance the travel experience of passengers and tourists, thereby contributing to the growth of tourism in the Nilgiris. The popularity of the NMR, its railway stations and the toy trains will also grow manifold, the release stated. When contacted, Pankaj Kumar Sinha, divisional railway manager, Salem division told TOI, “The redevelopment works at the two railway stations will be carried out without affecting the heritage value of the station buildings. The existing structures will not be disturbed but will only be renovated.”
“The railways have taken approval from the local body to develop a car parking facility at the Ooty station,” he added.