A historic railway station in Uttar Pradesh is celebrating its 151st anniversary this year. This railway station is not only important from the point of view of travel, but it also houses British-era architecture and the historical saga of the early days of rail traffic in India.This station is an important chapter in the development story of Indian Railways.
This Railway station turned 151 years old
This station was established in 1873 during the British rule. At that time, railways were being developed in India as a strategic and trade means. The British expanded the rail network in such a way that raw materials could be transported to the ports and the movement of troops could also be facilitated.
The main purpose of building this station was not only to ensure the movement of passengers but also to promote British business interests. The station was built in British architectural style. High ceilings, red brick walls, spacious verandas and strong iron structures are its hallmarks.
The 151st Station Mahotsav of Agra Fort Railway Station was celebrated on Sunday. Information about the rich history of the station and its importance was displayed on LED through videos and old photographs. The Agra Fort station, built in the year 1874, is being beautified at a cost of about Rs 15.4 crore.
Here work is being done to provide high level facilities to the passengers, digital display, waiting room, passenger safety and cleanliness.
The chief guest at the program organized at Agra Fort station was Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof. SP Singh Baghel, special guests were UP Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay, Rajya Sabha member Naveen Jain and Divisional Railway Manager Tejprakash Aggarwal.
Tribute was paid to those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack by observing silence. A booklet based on the Station Festival was released.
The railway’s cultural team presented cultural programs based on the history of the station.On this occasion, Additional Divisional Railway Manager Pranav Kumar along with members of Station Advisory Committee etc were present.
Keeping pace with modernity
Before independence, it was an important logistics base for the British army and administration. The first meter gauge railway line in Agra was built from Bharatpur to Agra Fort Station, which was built by Rajputana Railway on 11 August 1873. In the year 1874, it was extended from Delhi to Bandikui.
This is one of those stations in the country where both broad and meter gauge lines used to be there. Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof. SP Singh Baghel addressing the Station Mahotsav organized at Agra Fort station on Sunday.
Seated on the stage from left are Divisional Railway Manager Tej Prakash Agarwal,Rajya Sabha member Naveen Jain, state Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay, TN Aggarwal.
Built in Mughal and colonial architecture, the Agra Fort station built during the British period was part of the Rajputana-Malwa Railway. At that time Agra was an important hub connecting the regions of Rajasthan and central India.
The architectural specialty of this station made of red sandstone is its verandahs. The influence of colonial and Mughal architecture is clearly visible in it. Agra Fort Station has been a major hub for railway routes connecting Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and South India.
