Pune: The Pune Railway Division of Central Railway (CR) will reconstruct Jejuri’s railway station’s exterior on the lines of the famous Khandoba temple. The project will cost approximately Rs 50 lakh. 

The reconstruction is part of Indian Railways’ initiative to make stations located in places known for ‘Religious and Historical Pilgrimage’ to resemble the shrines. 

Jejuri houses temple of Lord Khandoba revered by Hindus across the State. It will be the first such station in Pune division to undergo a facelift.

“Jejuri station is famous for its Khandoba Temple and everyday thousands of devotees visit the town.
Pune division has planned to give this station a makeover. We have also started several other projects at this station to give passengers better service,” said a statement released by Pune Division of Indian Railways.

“By May 2019, the work of converting the exterior of the Jejuri Railway Station to look like Khandoba Temple will be complete. The work will be done at an expenditure of Rs 50 lakh,” said Milind Deouskar, Divisional Railway Manager, Pune.

In February 2018, Manoj Sinha, Minister of State for Railways, had announced that the reconstruction of Ayodhya Railway Station in Uttar Pradesh will be done in a manner that it ‘looks like the grand Ram temple’. Railway had also reportedly allocated Rs 80 crore for this purpose.

“Apart from this, the access road to the station and area around the main entrance is also being redone. The system for supply of drinking water is being revamped and a new water filter plant is being set up which will be ready by June 2019. A total of Rs 2.25 crore is being invested for all these works,” according to the press statement issued about this.  Sunil Udasi, Chief Public Relations Officer, Central Railway, said “Similar beautification projects are being undertaken at various stations such as Melghat, Chandrapur and Shegaon where local culture is being displayed at the stations. We are taking help of local artists for this purpose,” said Udasi.