New Delhi station to sport dazzling white look

Gearing up for the Commonwealth Games, the busy New Delhi Railway Station will sport a swanky new look, the work for which has already started.

The entire renovation work will be carried out as per a new design being finalised by the Railways Delhi Division to give an eye-catching look to the station.

"The facade of the station at Paharganj side will sport a complete new look. The colour of the 50-feet high building will be changed from existing light brown to pure white. Besides, the portico will have a new design," Ashwani Lohani, Divisional Railway Manager, Delhi Division, told PTI.

As per the blueprint, black granite will be laid upto ten feet from the ground while rest of the building will be fitted with white aluminium composite panels to give a "dazzling white look", he said.

Similarly, black granite will be used for the name plate in front of the station while the letters in it will be in stainless steel with adequate lighting system on top of the building, Lohani said.

Besides, the entire flooring will also be changed to match the facade.

"We are going for vacuum dewatered concrete flooring and the portico area will have bitumastic coloured pavers," the official said.

The New Delhi station, which receives about 700 trains a day, is currently undergoing renovation work as part of the beautification drive before the Commonwealth Games.

"The new look station will be ready much before the Games. In fact, we are trying to finish the work by June-July," the official said.

Besides the new look, steps are also being undertaken to improve the circulation area.

"The circulation area has been redesigned to ensure smooth movement of vehicles by creating more parking space," he said.

Waiting seats, water coolers and even dustbins will sport a new whitish look as per the new design. Authorities are also focusing on cleanliness at the station premises, Lohani said.