The main building of Dhanbad Railway Junction, set up in 1880 and then rebuilt in 1956, may have to be demolished to facilitate laying of tracks for the upcoming dedicated freight corridor passing through the coal capital.

Divisional railway manager of Dhanbad division Manoj Krishna Akhauri spoke of such an eventuality on Friday during his meeting with representatives of railway employees union, chamber of commerce and media, wherein he gave a power point presentation on the achievements of the railways in the last two years and apprised the gathering about the new projects being initiated within the Dhanbad division.

"The development of the eastern freight corridor, connecting Howrah and New Delhi while passing through Dhanbad, is likely to take around five years. But existing main building may have to be demolished, although we are also considering another option of laying tracks on the other side of the station complex. If that works out, then we may not need to touch the main building," he said.

Akhauri, however, noted that if the main building had to be demolished, the Dhanbad division may not be in a position to invest large sums of money on beautifying the station as planned earlier.

Rough estimates indicate that around 229 acres would be required for developing the eastern freight corridor in Dhanbad alone.

On more passenger amenities at the extension complex that has come up on the south side of the station, he said efforts were on to install additional fans and awnings, deficiencies that were pointed out during the June 7 visit of an 18-member passenger amenities committee.

Akhuri also assured the gathering that the escalator on platform 1 would henceforth work regularly and said that mischief-mongers, who switched off power lines often, were responsible for its erratic operation.

"We have also floated tenders, as many as five times, for the installation of elevators at the railway station. But, no company responded," said Akhauri, who was accompanied by senior divisional commercial manager Abhishek Kumar.

On wi-fi facility at the station, the divisional railway manager said that all necessary formalities had been completed and that the facility would be available soon.