Hey there, folks! Let’s talk about the iconic Pune Railway Station and its rich history. Did you know that the station was actually developed by The Great Indian Peninsula Railway Company in London? Yup, that’s right! It all started when they were working on the Victoria Terminus and decided to build the Pune Junction due to its significance to the British Army.
Fast forward to March 1858, and the railway line between Khandala and Pune was completed. And get this, the first railway building in Pune was constructed way back in 1856! As the number of trains at Pune Junction increased, the need for a new station building became apparent. So, in 1915, plans were made for a new structure, and the old building was demolished in 1922 to make way for it. The new building was finally completed in 1925 at a cost of ₹5,79,665 and was inaugurated by Mumbai Governor Sir Leslie Wilson on July 27 of that year.
Now, fast forward to about 20 years ago when Pune Railway Station was designated a heritage site and recognized as a model railway station by the Railway Board. However, over time, the station has faced neglect, and plans to develop a second junction for Pune city have been slow. Even though there are developments at Hadapsar and Khadki, the iconic Pune station remains a bit outdated.
But hey, let’s not forget about the famous Deccan Queen that departs from Pune station! Known for its special facilities, the station’s six platforms are just not cutting it anymore. Challenges like station expansion, security, unauthorized access, parking, and traffic management continue to persist. Calls have been made to transform Pune station into a world-class facility, with suggestions to make it multi-storied and integrate various transport systems in one place.
And hey, did you know that on July 27, 2005, the railway station’s architecture celebrated its 81st year? Despite heavy rain and halted railway traffic due to the Mumbai floods, the Pravasi Sangh organized the Sahasrachandradarshan ceremony, providing water, food, and other facilities to stranded passengers for three days. Pretty cool, right? “The planning was different, but we were fortunate to serve the passengers,” said Shah.
So there you have it, folks! The Pune Railway Station has a rich history and a lot of potential for future developments. Let’s hope to see it transformed into a world-class facility soon!
Thanks For Reading Report of Punepress.com