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        प्रेस विज्ञप्ति/ Press Release No. 396  Dt: 26.02.2021                     

BENGALURU DIVISION SETS TO RESTORE 4 HERITAGE STATIONS

•           Bengaluru Division plans to restore and preserve Railway Heritage Structures.

•           Heritage structures o­n Chikballapur – Kolar Railway Line to be restored and preserved in the first phase.

•           The railway stations in Rajanukunte, Oorgaum, Champion and Chintamani will be developed as heritage railway Stations.in the second phase.

•           MoU Signed with INTACH for restoration and preservation of  Doddajala, Devenahalli, Nandihalt and Avathihalli Stations.

•           Creation of additional amenities for restored and preserved heritage structures is part of MoU

•           first initiative in South Western Railway where restoration project is being taken up under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

            Bengaluru Division of South Western Railway has chalked out plans to rejuvenate its station buildings under the directions of Shri AK Singh , General Manager, South Western Railway and Shri PK Mishra , Additional Railway Manager .

            In the first phase, 4 Old station buildings o­n KSR Bengaluru- Chikballapur-Kolar Railway line,Devanahalli, Doddajala, Avathihalli and Nandi Halt  will be restored and preserved  in  the initiative  that will enhance their heritage value .

            In the second phase, the railway stations in Rajanukunte, Oorgaum, Champion and Chintamani are planned to be developed as heritage railway Stations.

            As a first step towards this initiative, Smt. Kusuma Hariprasad, Additional Divisional Railway Manager (Administration) Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage) yesterday  (25.02.2021) in presence of Shri Ashok Kumar Verma.

            INTACH is a non-profit organization which works for preservation of heritages sites in the country. It is associated with Archeological Survey of India.

            The MoU seeks to Restore and Preserve Heritage Railway Stations at Doddajala, Devanahalli, Avatihalli and Nandi Halt based o­n different themes related to history and heritage. This is o­ne of the region's oldest Railway line. These buildings are quaint examples of colonial style architecture located in  picturesque, stretch . The line, in Meter gauge became operational in August 1915.

            The works stipulated in MoU will be undertaken in two stages. In the first stage, INTACH will undertake the renovation, restoration and preservation of the Station buildings in consultation with Railways and identify the partners under CSR for funding the initiative.

            In the second stage, ways and means of sustainable maintenance of preserved and restored buildings will be developed by creating additional amenities at the Stations and surroundings.

            An Art Centre-cum-Cultural Centre-cum Conventional Centre will be developed at Doddajala. Interpretation Centre for monuments and History, Café or Snack counter will be set up at Devenahalli. A Silk Museum and Resource Centre along with a Park, with appropriate tree planting and landscaping will be made at Avathihalli, A Rail Museum, Café, Restaurant, Cultural performance Centre, Pop-up weekend crafts Markets, Interpretation Centre, Open Air Theater and  Amphitheater will be provided at Nandi Halt Station.

            This is the first initiative in South Western Railway where restoration project is being taken up under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

            Shri Ashok Kumar Verma, Divisional Railway Manager Bengaluru  informed that the main  objectives of the MoU are renovation, restoration and preservation of the old existing Heritage rich railway structures  at these four Railway stations, in such a way to showcase the  cultural and monumental  Heritage besides developing / providing the  infrastructure in and around the four heritage station sites to boost tourism .  He opined that the above stations are likely to attract large number of tourists after restoration work

            South Western Railway in last o­ne year has achieved historical milestones by opening Railway Museum , Hubballi, redeveloping Mysuru Railway , museum etc. If any firms, companies or individuals come forward to take up works in Railways under Corporate Social Responsibility, Railway is ready to extend full support and facilitate new projects.

                                                                   Chief Public Relations Officer                                                                    South Western Railway, Hubballi