BHOPAL: Union railway minister Piyush Goyal on Friday claimed that redevelopment work of Habibganj railway station will be completed within the next three-four months. Habibganj would be India’s first world class station, he said.During a day-long visit on Friday, Goyal inspected the redevelopment work at Habibganj station and later visited Bhopal station and Nishatpura coach factory.He instructed the officials to speed the work of third railway line so that deadline could be met.Habibganj is the first station in the country to be redeveloped into a world class station under the PPP mode. Announcement for making Habibganj into a world class station was made in the 2009-10 Union railway budget.Bansal Pathways Pvt Ltd is carrying out the redevelopment work at the station.At the platform no-1 in Habibganj station, Goyal went through an exhibition showing the work being done at the station. He inspected the construction work at circulating area, platforms, construction of buildings and subway.During the inspection, Goyal said he wanted that the work should be completed by December. “Around Rs 100 crore are being invested to make this world class railway station. We are hoping to get the work done by the end of this year,” said Goyal.Habibganj station’s redevelopment project manager, Abu Asif said the company will complete work by December 2018. “Though deadline is July 2019, we will be able to complete the work by December 2018,” said Asif.Managing director, Indian Rail Development Corporation, SK Lohiya accompanied Goyal at the station and briefed him about the progress of work.Sources said Goyal felt that there is a need to have one more foot-over-bridge at Habibganj railway station. Officials also said that Goyal instructed them to construct the foot-over-bridges on the stations as per the demand.Talking to media, Goyal said the station work is going well. “This will be the best railway station in the country. I am happy to see the work. Beautification of other railways stations will be done,” said Goyal.Stating that safety of the passengers is of paramount importance he instructed the officials to take necessary steps ensuring the passengers safety.After inspecting the work at Habibganj station, he took a meeting with the railway officials at office of the divisional railway manager.DRM, Shobhan Choudhary, told TOI that the Union minister was apprised about the redevelopment work at Bhopal station that will start from October. “We will issue the tender in the first week of October,” said Chaudhary. The model of redevelopment of Bhopal station was also shown to Goyal. A power-point presentation was also made about the work being done and future projects.Goyal then went to see the coach factory, Nishatpura, where he inspected the body repair shop and model rake shop.

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