Hyderabad: The Secunderabad railway station’s old heritage building has been razed down to pave the way for a new modern or swanky station. Photos of the demolition by the South Central Railway (SCR) are doing rounds on social media evoking a sense of loss and nostalgia for many in the city.
Although the pink-cream structure that was demolished was not the station’s original building, it was constructed in the 1950s and had long served as one of the main stations in Hyderabad. The demolition is part of the railway’s project to modernize older stations in India.
The Secunderabad railway station in Hyderabad was originally built in the 1870s during the reign of the sixth Nizam Mir Mahboob Ali Khan (1869-1911). The plan was to construct a project envisaged under the fifth Nizam Afzal-ud-Daula (1857-69) by the British urging the then Hyderabad state government to set up the Nizams Guaranteed Railways.
The Wadi-Secunderabad railway line was the first ever one that was built by the British and the Nizams. Eventually, the Kachiguda and Nampally stations were built and became an important part of Hyderabad’s transportation system.
Key features of Secunderabad station’s redevelopment
The South Central Railway (SCR) demolished the main terminal building of the Secunderabad Railway Station as part of its Rs 720 crore redevelopment project.
Hyderabad’s Secunderabad Railway Station is undergoing a significant transformation as part of a major redevelopment project. A key feature of the project is the construction of a multi-story building on the north side, covering 22,516 square meters, while the south side will be expanded by 14,792 square meters.
As part of the modernization efforts, a two-story sky concourse spanning 108 meters will be built. The first level will be dedicated to passenger movement, while the second level will serve as a rooftop plaza.
Along with this, Secunderabad’s station redevelopment will include a sky concourse, multi-level and underground parking, travelators, lifts, and escalators. The modern design will also incorporate dedicated spaces for retail outlets, cafeterias, and recreational areas, enhancing the overall passenger experience. The revamped station is set to be fully operational by the end of next year.
In a first for the station, all platforms will be fully covered under a single structure, with railway tracks running beneath the newly constructed building. The redevelopment aims to enhance passenger convenience and improve station infrastructure.
Secunderabad railway station to have solar power plants
The Secunderabad Railway Station will be equipped with a 5,000 kVP solar power plant to meet its energy requirements. The initiative aims to reduce the station’s carbon footprint and promote the use of renewable energy in railway infrastructure.
Historic building doesn’t need demolition: Activist
The Secunderabad railway station is also classified as a Non-Suburban Grade 1 (NSG1) station and has a daily footfall of 1.5 lakh passengers and about 180 trains. An activist who did not want to be named said that the building should not have been demolished. “The historic building was functional. The railways could have kept it. This kind of development is not good for our heritage,” he described.
