SCR celebrates World Heritage Day at Kacheguda Railway Station

HYDERABAD: South Central Railway (SCR) recently observed World Heritage Day at Kacheguda Railway Station on Thursday.

The World Heritage Day (WHD) is celebrated with different themes every year as declared by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMS). The event, centered on the theme 'Disaster & Conflicts through the Lens of the Venice Charter,' highlighted the significance of safeguarding our cultural heritage.

Speaking on the occasion of Additional General Manager R. Dhananjayulu (SCR) appreciated the efforts of Hyderabad Division in the upkeep of the aesthetically designed unique 'Rail Museum' which showcases the origin and growth of Railways in the region. He called upon everyone to honour and celebrate the timeless heritage of our country. Indian Railways is at the forefront in preservation of rich heritage in the form of monuments and sites, he added.

Earlier, R. Dhananjayulu formally opened the Kacheguda Rail Museum. The additional general manager also unveiled one display item showcasing logos of different Railways from the pre-independent era at the museum and released a Souvenir Coffee Mug. The employees and students presented a Nukkad Natak on preserving heritage. Later, R. Dhananjayulu presented prizes to the winners of drawing, debate and essay writing competitions and also felicitated the staff involved in the maintenance of the rail museum.

In view of the World Heritage Day celebrations, free entry is being given to the Rail museum for general public, school and college students till April 23, 2024. This initiative has been taken to encourage passengers, children etc., to get a glimpse of the beautiful Rail heritage. The Rail museum visiting hours are 9.00 am – 5.00 pm.

South Central Railway held a week-long celebration coinciding with the World Heritage Day in which debates, drawing and essay writing competitions were conducted for school and college students. Several initiatives were undertaken such as Sprucing/touch up of heritage displays of locomotives and coaches in public spaces, restoration and archival efforts were showcased, storytelling about railway heritage apart from discussion on the theme were also conducted.  

Kacheguda Rail Museum

The Rail Museum offers a beautiful glimpse of vintage photographs including those pertaining to the rail network dating back to the Nizam’s time with the inauguration of Kacheguda Railway station building being a highlight. The exhibits date back to the vintage era and include signaling equipment, prototypes of various locomotives and coaches, tickets, working models etc.

Taking the viewer forward from the vintage to the latest, the rail museum also offers a peek into the present times on railways on subjects such as security, safety, bridges etc., Yet another highlight of the museum is, an exclusive air conditioned lounge to facilitate screening of Audio-Visuals pertaining to the history and growth of railways and other short films on various aspects connected to Railways.