Indian Railways set to revamp 508 train stations at Rs 24,470 crore; PM Modi to lay foundation stone
The ambitious redevelopment of 508 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Scheme stands as a significant testament to the government's dedication to modernizing India's railway infrastructure.
Emphasizing the government’s primary focus on upgrading passenger amenities, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has stated that “Our Prime Minister is personally overseeing the Railways’ progress at regular intervals.” Vaishnaw added that the Prime Minister has provided valuable inputs regarding the design of stations, and he is scheduled to lay the foundation stones for 508 stations on 6 Aug, 2023.
Indian Railways serves as the national railway transport system in the country and is a vital component of India’s overall transportation infrastructure.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, a total of 508 stations across the country will undergo redevelopment, with an estimated cost of over Rs 24,000 crore. Specifically, Northern Railway will develop 71 of these stations at an estimated cost of Rs 4,195 crore.
Indeed, Indian Railways stands as one of the largest and busiest railway networks globally, linking numerous towns and cities across the country. As a crucial mode of travel, it serves millions of people daily, facilitating their journeys and connecting various regions within India.
During a press conference held at Baroda House, Northern Railway General Manager Shobhan Choudhuri affirmed that the redeveloped stations will offer world-class facilities to passengers.
Passengers will benefit from the inclusion of lifts, escalators, concourses, waiting rooms, and retail areas equipped with modern facilities. Moreover, appropriate arrangements will be made to ensure smooth arrivals and departures of passengers, along with adequate vehicle parking facilities.
According to the statement by Northern Railway General Manager Shobhan Choudhuri, a total of 71 stations will be redeveloped under the scheme by Northern Railway. Among these, five stations in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) – including Delhi Cantonment, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad – are included in the redevelopment plan.
Additionally, Shobhan Choudhuri mentioned that the redevelopment plan will focus on providing passengers with a smooth and comfortable experience. This will involve the removal of unwanted structures, improved lighting, better circulating areas, upgraded parking spaces, infrastructure that is friendly to divyangjans (persons with disabilities), and environmentally conducive buildings through the use of green and renewable energy.
As part of the station design, the development of stations will be centered around the concept of creating ‘City Centres’, with a focus on integrating both sides of the city. This approach aims to make the stations not only efficient transportation hubs but also vibrant and integrated parts of the urban landscape.
During the press conference, Shobhan Choudhuri also mentioned that the redeveloped stations will showcase the local art and culture through their landscaping.
The Northern Railway’s redevelopment plan covers stations in several states and Union Territories. These include one station each in Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh, 21 stations in Punjab, 10 in Haryana, two in Uttarakhand, 28 in Uttar Pradesh, three in Jammu and Kashmir, and five in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR).
