In order to improve passenger facilities, the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) has applied for proposals for the renovation of the railway station.

The projected cost of changing the design is approximately EUR 3.85 billion and the project deadline is set at 15 months. The same will be offered on August 2.

Ved Parkash Dudeja, vice-chairman of the RLDA, commented on the improvements, stating that Chandigarh has expanded significantly over the past ten years. By creating a first-class railway station, the upgrade of the Chandigarh Station supports the expansion of the city.

The plaza area on the Panchkula side, which is planned to be upgraded along the same lines, is proposed to ensure the same. Another idea to integrate the two sides is a roof square. It is also planned to integrate the station with other modes of transport.

The Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) approach will be used to modernize the station, with a target completion date of 15 months and an estimated lead time of two years for the entire project.

In addition to modern lobbies, a food court, a paid lounge and some office and retail space, the renovated station will also include these amenities. To increase capacity and handle more passengers at once, more elevators and escalators need to be built.

This station is being developed on a modular concept using pre-engineered and prefab construction, which will significantly reduce the time needed to complete the project.

The contractor will develop the plan for the “lighthouse project” and once established it will be replicated on all station development works to be carried out on the Indian railway network.

RLDA is a statutory authority under the Ministry of Railways for the development of railway land. Earlier, the Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation was awarded the contract to upgrade the railway station, which is expected to be completed in 2021. Following delays due to the COVID pandemic, the railway administration handed over the work to RLDA in April 2022.