New divisional railway manager Gajanan Mallya

Ranchi, Aug. 12: A city bus link to Ranchi and Hatia stations, large sheds, uninterrupted drinking water supply and clean toilets are just a fraction of the elaborate infrastructure and amenities revamp plan the new divisional railway manager has up his sleeves.

Gajanan Mallya, who was chief of project at Southern Railway’s Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, took charge of the Ranchi division of South Eastern Railway two days ago. He succeeded V.K. Agarwal.

Speaking to The Telegraph, he chalked out some of his priorities. “Passenger amenities top my to-do list. We will erect more sheds at Ranchi station and commission platforms No. 4 and 5 there as soon as possible,” he said, adding that expediting infrastructure development projects sanctioned by the Railway Board would be his main focus.

The two new platforms have already been built on the southern end of Ranchi station. However, they are yet to be connected with the signalling system and so, commissioning is pending. Mallya said he would also explore possibilities of extending city bus routes to Ranchi and Hatia stations.

The rough ballast on which the tracks run and the wooden sleepers are likely to be moulded in concrete so that they do not get washed away by heavy rain and maintenance is easier. Currently, the tracks are laid on crushed stone and joined timber and iron sleepers.

“I plan to moot the proposal with the Railway Board,” Mallya said. The cost of revamping tracks from one end of Ranchi station to the other will be at least Rs 2 crore. With five platforms, the total cost will soar to Rs 10 crore. “The project can begin only if approved by the board,” he stressed, adding that safety was another aspect that would be paid attention.

Ranchi is already counted among model stations with decent waiting lounges, drinking water, toilets, et al, for passengers. However, the footfall has increased in 10 years. Besides, rich mineral deposits have also catapulted the station on the revamp map.