Nagpur: Nagpur railway station officially turned 100 years old on January 15, but the mood is somber instead of celebratory. There are colorful lights and decorative paraphernalia, but the command to act is missing. Traffic jams, pits dug in front of the listed building and the concentration on renovation work are cited as the main reasons why the occasion is not celebrated on a large scale.
The last time the historic station building was bathed in colorful light was during the C20 meeting of the G20 summit, when the entire city was dressed in carnival look. The 3D projection of the iconic Nagpur railway station building during C20 was a visual treat. A 3D audio-visual video showcased other heritage structures of the building as well as the latest developments like the Nagpur Metro and portrayed the city as a tiger capital with a background track.
Both employees and ordinary citizens have expressed their surprise and disgust at this Central Railway Nagpur Department “ignore” the anniversary year. Some employees also claimed that there was no shortage of funds or equipment to add a decorative touch to the heritage building. “This should have been an unforgettable event. We who live nearby and the entire city are very proud to have one of the oldest train stations in the country. “As of now, there is no sign that it has reached its 100th year,” said Sonu Chaurasia, a resident of Mohan Nagar.
A staff member said the department has the necessary materials to light the station. “Top officials don’t give orders,” the employee said.
Aman Mittal, senior commercial manager of Central Railway's Nagpur division, said the celebrations would begin next week. “There will be an exhibition showcasing the station’s 100-year history, landmarks and future plans. Posters would also be put up on the site. There will be a public celebration and performances of skits. Decorative lighting would be installed and maintained for a long time,” he said.
Mittal added that the current condition of the station under construction has limited the celebration program. “Celebrations would lead to more congestion at the station and cause more difficulties for passengers. Restoration work on listed buildings also begins. So there is no point in installing permanent lights. The development work would require more space in the coming days, i.e. throughout the year. “Celebrations are not possible at the moment,” he said.
Noted architect Ashok Moka, a former member of the monument committee, said architectural monuments were celebrated across the world. “They connect us to the past. You can learn so much from it. People's awareness of heritage is low. After modernization, the railways must continue to use the historic building and not abandon it,” he said.
The last time the historic station building was bathed in colorful light was during the C20 meeting of the G20 summit, when the entire city was dressed in carnival look. The 3D projection of the iconic Nagpur railway station building during C20 was a visual treat. A 3D audio-visual video showcased other heritage structures of the building as well as the latest developments like the Nagpur Metro and portrayed the city as a tiger capital with a background track.
Both employees and ordinary citizens have expressed their surprise and disgust at this Central Railway Nagpur Department “ignore” the anniversary year. Some employees also claimed that there was no shortage of funds or equipment to add a decorative touch to the heritage building. “This should have been an unforgettable event. We who live nearby and the entire city are very proud to have one of the oldest train stations in the country. “As of now, there is no sign that it has reached its 100th year,” said Sonu Chaurasia, a resident of Mohan Nagar.
A staff member said the department has the necessary materials to light the station. “Top officials don’t give orders,” the employee said.
Aman Mittal, senior commercial manager of Central Railway's Nagpur division, said the celebrations would begin next week. “There will be an exhibition showcasing the station’s 100-year history, landmarks and future plans. Posters would also be put up on the site. There will be a public celebration and performances of skits. Decorative lighting would be installed and maintained for a long time,” he said.
Mittal added that the current condition of the station under construction has limited the celebration program. “Celebrations would lead to more congestion at the station and cause more difficulties for passengers. Restoration work on listed buildings also begins. So there is no point in installing permanent lights. The development work would require more space in the coming days, i.e. throughout the year. “Celebrations are not possible at the moment,” he said.
Noted architect Ashok Moka, a former member of the monument committee, said architectural monuments were celebrated across the world. “They connect us to the past. You can learn so much from it. People's awareness of heritage is low. After modernization, the railways must continue to use the historic building and not abandon it,” he said.