Historic pink building at Secunderabad Railway Station razed, sparking nostalgia and debate

Hyderabad: The Secunderabad Railways Station’s main building, known for its distinct Nizam-era architecture, has been demolished as part of a massive Rs 700 crore redevelopment project.

However, many citizens of Secunderabad are of the opinion that the iconic pink building was still functional and that other structures should have come around it.

History of 151 years

Secunderabad junction, one of India’s oldest and busiest railway stations, is undergoing a major transformation. With a history that started 151 years ago, this iconic station, which served as the heart of Hyderabad’s railway network, has now been reduced to rubble to make way for a more modern, world-class station.

The station building that was demolished has its origins in 1948. The construction was done as a wrap-around the old 1874 building, according to sources from INTACH.

The heritage cost of urbanisation

Every 20 years or so, a new layer of infrastructure is added to cities with the increase in population. This pushes urbanisation forward.

The Secunderabad railway station’s heritage building has been demolished to make way for a new and modern station. Photos of the demolition by the South-Central Railway (SCR) are being shared on social media to various reactions, mostly with a sense of loss and nostalgia for many netizens. Many feel that the exterior of the iconic Secunderabad Station building could have been saved.

Although the pink structure that was demolished was not the station’s original building, it was constructed in the 1950s and has served as one of the main stations in Hyderabad. The demolition is part of the railway’s project to modernise older stations in India.

History of the Secunderabad railway station

The Secunderabad railway station in Hyderabad was originally built in the 1870s during the reign of the sixth Nizam Mir Mahboob Ali Khan (1869-1911).

The plan was to construct a project envisaged under the fifth Nizam Afzal-ud-Daula (1857-69) by the British urging the then Hyderabad State government to set up the Nizams Guaranteed Railways.

The Wadi-Secunderabad railway line was the first ever one that was built by the British and the Nizams. Eventually, the Kachiguda and Nampally stations were built and became an important part of Hyderabad’s transportation system.

Redevelopment pains and gains: How will the new station look?

The South-Central Railway (SCR) demolished the main terminal building of the Secunderabad Railway Station as part of its Rs 720 crore redevelopment project.

A key feature of the project is the construction of a multi-story building on the north side, covering 22,516 square meters, while the south side will be expanded by 14,792 square meters. As part of the modernisation efforts, a two-storied sky concourse spanning 108 meters will be built.

The first level will be dedicated to passenger movement, while the second level will serve as a rooftop plaza. Along with this, the Secunderabad Station redevelopment will include a sky concourse, multi-level and underground parking, travelators, lifts and escalators.

The modern design will also incorporate dedicated spaces for retail outlets, cafeterias and recreational areas, enhancing the overall passenger experience.

The revamped station is set to be fully operational by the end of next year. In a first for the station, all platforms will be fully covered under a single structure, with railway tracks running beneath the newly constructed building. The redevelopment aims to enhance passenger convenience and improve station infrastructure.

Solar power

The Secunderabad Railway Station will be equipped with a 5,000 kVP solar power plant to meet its energy requirements. The initiative aims to reduce the station’s carbon footprint and promote the use of renewable energy in railway infrastructure.

The Secunderabad railway station is also classified as a non-suburban Grade 1 (NSG1) station and has a daily footfall of 1.5 lakh passengers with 180 operational trains.

Loss of heritage

While some citizens embrace this change, others lament the loss of heritage and neo-heritage buildings.

Shireen Sethna Baria, founder and managing partner of Vakils Associated said, “We as a nation have no value for heritage. Iconic structures in Secunderabad like the old Post Office, the old bar on SP Road and now the station that was built in the Nizam Era have been brought down in the name of progress. When all nations want to highlight their heritage, we are here to destroy and put up facades that won’t last even 50 years. We can see what has happened in the recent construction works that were carried out. New construction is a bane for society for various reasons: it causes pollution and deteriorates the surroundings and it is done to make money for builders, contractors and their political masters. What is repairable ought to be preserved, maintained and used well. However, Indians have no civic sense and only destroy and harm the environment by cutting trees in the name of progress. The British Parliament buildings have stood for over 400 years. Europe, Russia and America (before Trump) also preserved their heritage.”

Shyam Krishnamachari, a junior lecturer deemed the demolition as ‘bad on all counts.’ The station could have been preserved at least partly, he said.

Mira Pawar, an author, said, “I am one of those who believe in restoration. I don’t believe in demolition. Demolishing an old iconic building erases a vital piece of history and cultural identity. Such structures often embody the architectural styles, craftsmanship, and societal values of their time, serving as tangible links to our past. Iconic buildings contribute to the character of a city or region, attracting tourism. Moreover, renovation and adaptive reuse of these structures can be more environmentally sustainable than demolition, reducing waste and resource consumption. There are so many memories attached to this building. I travelled in and out of this building more than 1,000 times since my childhood and now they are bringing it down. That’s very sad! This actually feels like a close and loved one’s funeral who will be gone forever.”

Nampally station is next on the re-development list

Warangal Station has also been recently redeveloped and next on the list is the Nampally station.

Built in 1907 by the last Nizam of Hyderabad, it was originally used as a goods siding until 1921 but it now handles 90 passenger trains and 32,000 passengers every day which will increase to 49,000 passengers after the transformation.