The 57-year-old Railway Institute is witnessing a facelift, and in a couple of months, it will portray a smart look. Thanks to the efforts of institute chairman and Senior Divisional Engineer Varun Babu and Divisional Railway Manager Ashok Kumar, the structure is undergoing a makeover with works costing Rs. 1 crore.
With the formation Andhra Pradesh and the subsequent elevation of Vijayawada as a city anchoring construction of the new capital city — Amaravati — the railway authorities felt the need to give a chic look to the building which will see several top rail officers, including Ministers, visiting the division in the days to come.
The worn-out wooden stage has made way to a granite surface and more space is created to accommodate guests on stage. “We are sprucing up rooms for bride and bridegroom on either side of the stage for the benefit of the wedding parties,” said institute secretary Akula Raghavendra.
The ceiling of the hall will be lowered to allow the installation of centralised air conditioning and proper lighting will be installed to give a bright and aesthetic-look. “As the institute is lacking proper drainage and water facilities, we are taking up these issues. We are covering the open space with cement as it is getting slushy during rainy season causing great inconvenience to the visitors”.
The dining hall and the kitchen are witnessing major changes and the sheds will be removed paving away for concrete structure. “The entire building will get a fresh coach of paint”.
Mr. Raghavendra said the present works were promised in the election manifesto and in the coming year, the committee would take up installing gymnasium for men and women and a makeover to the adjacent shuttle court. “We are expecting a liberal budget from our Chief Personnel Officer to undertake these works along with utensils and chairs to cater to 1,000 guests”.
The Railway Institute came up in 1959 and during the regime of DRM S.K. Sharma in 2008 it underwent the first major makeover.
