A visitor to Jamshedpur and confused about where to stay or eat conveniently near the station?
Thanks to Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a subsidiary of Indian Railways, you would be able to spot a welcoming hotel virtually as soon as you set foot on Tatanagar in the near future.
The IRCTC will set up Rail Yatri Niwas, a hotel-cum-marketing complex, near Tatanagar. A senior railway official of Chakradharpur railway division confirmed Tatanagar and Ranchi stations have been selected among the 50 model stations in India. For Tatanagar, Rail Yatri Niwas is one of the perks of this model tag.
The proposed Rail Yatri Niwas will most likely come up on railway land opposite Tatanagar along Station-Parsudih Road.
But, the hitch is a visible one. Currently, several eateries and food kiosks, some going back several decades, encroach upon this crowded stretch outside the station.
Though a New Delhi-based team from Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA) has inspected the site for it, they have not sent any concrete feedback on the site, a well-placed Tatanagar source said.
Though Chakradharpur railway division has started the process of clearing the encroachers, the RLDA has not sent any concrete feedback on the site.
"The RLDA plans to develop a Rail Yatri Niwas or hotel-cum-marketing complex on railway land opposite the railway station but a bulk of the site is at present encroached upon by eateries. We have cleared a portion and started legal procedure to remove encroachment from the rest of railway land is underway," said senior divisional engineer, Chakradharpur, R.P. Saraswat.
A senior Tatanagar official admitted that eateries run near Tatanagar station, though unauthorised, provided convenient and affordable services for passengers round the clock. Tatanagar sees a daily footfall of 40,000 passengers, many of whom eat at these budget restaurants and food joints.
"But, let me stress that Rail Yatri Niwas facilities will also be affordable besides being hygienic and offering quality to the consumer. Food and snacks apart, there will be the option of budget lodging and shopping," the official said.
Last month, Tatanagar authorities razed Krishna Hotel, a restaurant set up on railway land and unauthorised since past five decades, following a court order.
Two others nearby will also get demolished soon.
"Once initial hurdles are crossed, the RLDA will make a design blueprint of the proposed lodging and food facility and start construction on a war-footing," Kumar said.
Are you looking forward to Rail Yatri Niwas? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com
