What’s inside:
This article talks about India’s first private railway station, its location, features, and some historical facts.
Have you heard about India’s first private railway station? It’s in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, and it’s called Rani Kamalapati Station. This station is a big deal as it serves millions of passengers and tons of goods every day.
The station was built using a Public-Private Partnership model. The Vansh Group worked with the Indian Railway Station Development Corporation to redesign it. The total cost of redevelopment was around 100 crores, while 350 crores are planned for commercial development.
Although the Vansh Group helped in building the station, it does not own it. The Indian Railways still holds the ownership, but a private developer takes care of its daily operations and maintenance.
Passengers can enjoy airport-like facilities here. There are air-conditioned lounges, fast elevators, and 24/7 water and power backup. Other features include parking spaces, retail shops, food carts, a convention center, office spaces, and even a hotel. Premium trains like Vande Bharat Express and Rajdhani Express also stop here.
Looking back at history, this station was originally called Habibganj Railway Station when it was built in 1920. The land and funding came from the family of Rajkumar Habibullah Khan. Later, the name was changed to Rani Kamalapati, honoring a Gond queen known for her royal history.
Summary:
- The first private railway station in India is Rani Kamalapati Station in Bhopal.
- It was built through a Public-Private Partnership model.
- Indian Railways owns the station, while a private developer manages it.
- Passengers can enjoy modern facilities like lounges and fast elevators.
- The station has a rich history, originally named Habibganj in 1920.