PM virtually lays foundation stone for redevelopment of 508 railway stations; South India gets 76

The stations are spread across 27 states and union territories. They also include 55 each in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, 49 in Bihar, 44 in Maharashtra, 37 in West Bengal, 34 in Madhya Pradesh, 32 in Assam, 25 in Odisha, 22 in Punjab, 21 in Gujarat, 20 in Jharkhand and 15 in Haryana, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Also read: PM to lay foundation stone for modernisation of railway stations

Estimated cost: ₹24,470 crore

The redevelopment, expected to cost ₹24,470 crore, will reportedly provide modern passenger amenities along with ensuring well-designed traffic circulation, inter-modal integration and well-designed signage for the guidance of passengers, the PMO said in a statement, adding that the design of station buildings would be inspired by local culture, heritage, and architecture.

Noting that Modi has often laid stress on the provision of state-of-the-art public transport and that railways are the preferred mode of transport of people, the PMO said he has prioritised the importance of providing world-class amenities at railway stations.

Guided by this vision, the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme was launched to redevelop 1,309 stations, it said.

Apart from the modernization of stations, the government would ensure proper cleanliness at stations, waiting rooms, toilets, lifts, escalators and free Wi-Fi, an executive lounge for holding business meetings and signages to provide train information.

To ensure proper recognition of products manufactured locally, shops in the name of ‘one-station-one product’ would be established.

21 stations in Telangana

Attending the foundation ceremony at the Nampally railway station, Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy said a new era was started under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the development of railways.

Saying that the Union government is giving special attention to the development of railways in Telangana, he said, in the last nine years, the Modi government has made efforts to develop the railway infrastructure in the state to provide better facilities to the passengers.

For the development of railway infrastructure in Telangana ₹258 crore was allocated in 2014-15, while ₹4,418 crore has been allocated in 2023-24, he said.

Kishan Reddy said the modernisation works would be taken up at a cost of over ₹894 crore.

The 21 stations include Nampally, Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Mahbubnagar, Mahbubabad, Malakpet, Malkajgiri, Uppguda, Hafeezpet, Hi-Tech City, Karimnagar, Ramagundem, Khammam, Madhira, Jangoan, Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri, Kazipet junction, Tandur, Bhadrachalam Road, Zaheerabad and Adilabad.

He also said the Union Ministry of Tourism along with Indian Railways had earlier sanctioned funds for the development of the historic Hyderabad Railway Station in Nampally for 309 crore.

He added that the Centre had already taken up the modernisation of Secunderabad station at a cost of ₹715 crore to meet passengers’ requirements for the next 40 years.

The Union government allocated ₹221 crore for the Cherlapally terminal, he said.

He added that the foundation stone for the Railway Manufacturing Unit, which will be taken up at an estimated cost of 521 crore, was laid in Kazipet.

Also read: Railway to conduct survey to operate super-fast trains in AP, Telangana

18 stations in Andhra Pradesh

Under phase-1 of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme Scheme, 18 stations in Andhra Pradesh will be developed at approximately ₹270 crore.

The stations are Anakapalle, Bhimavaram Town, Eluru, Kakinada Town, Narsapur, Nidadavolu, Ongole, Singarayakonda, Tadepalligudem, Tenali, Tuni,Donakonda, Duvvada, Kurnool, Piduguralla, Repalle, Vizianagaram Junction, Palasa.

“Amrit Bharat Stations Scheme (ABSS) is an inspiring vision of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi to improve the station experience for passengers across India. The genesis of this idea has its roots in the strong determination and passion of the government to provide world-class amenities and serve the citizens of the country in a better way,” said South Central Railways Vijayawada Divisional Railway Manager Narendra Anandrao Patil.

“Station development is a continuous process and railways shall strive to give the best amenities, ambience and standards to its esteemed customers,” he added.

According to reports, nine more stations are being planned under Phase II. Under the scheme.

18 in TN, 1 in Puducherry

As part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, Eighteen stations in Tamil Nadu and one from Puducherry will be developed.

Of them, the Chennai division has eight stations — Chengalpattu Junction, Perambur, Guduvancheri, Tiruvallur, Tiruttani, Gummidipundi, Arakkonam Junction and Jolarpettai Junction.

“A 12-metre wide foot-over-bridge will be constructed at the five stations of the Chennai division whereas escalators and lifts will be developed in all the stations,” B Guganesan, Chief Public Relations Officer of Southern Railways said.

The other stations in Tamil Nadu are Podanur Junction, Nagercoil Junction, Karur Junction, Mayiladuturai Junction, Salem, Tenkasi, Thanjavur Junction, Tiruppur, Villupuram Junction, and Virudhunagar.

Puducherry Railway Station will also be developed under the scheme.

13 stations in Karnataka

Asserting that total of 55 railway stations in Karnataka will be redeveloped, Union Minister for Coals and Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi said: “This mega project will enhance the basic infrastructure, increase the rail network, local economic activity and other developmental works in the station.”

Joshi inaugurated the virtual foundation stone laying ceremony of the Amrit Bharat Station scheme.

According to the South Western Railway officials: “A total of 55 railway stations have been identified for the redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in Karnataka.”

They added: “In the first phase, the foundation stone has been laid for the redevelopment of 13 railway stations in the state. The estimated project cost is ₹303.5 crores.”

Addressing the gathering at Alnavar Railway Station, Joshi said: “Including Alnavar stations, 13 stations in the Hubballi region have been selected for the scheme. In total, 55 stations in Karnataka will undergo redevelopment under this scheme.”

He added: “A separate grant allocation has been made for each station likewise ₹17.1 crore is granted for the redevelopment of the Alnavar station.”

“The fund will be used to enhance the basic infrastructure, increase the rail network, and set up the One Station, One Product store, along with several other developmental works,” Joshi added.

In Karnataka, Ballari Station will be developed at a cost of ₹16.7 crore, Ghatprabha Station and Gokak Road station of Belagavi at ₹18.2 crore and ₹17 crore, respectively.

Bidar station at ₹24.4 crores, Mangaluru Junction at ₹18.5 crores, Harihar Station of Davanagere at ₹25.2 crores, Gadag Junction at ₹23.2 crores.

Arsikere Junction will be developed at ₹34.1 crore, Wadi Station at ₹32.7 crore and Kalaburagi Junction at ₹29.1 crore.

Also read: Why a Railways committee wants to rename Tirur station

5 in Kerala

As part of the scheme, the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 5 railway stations in Kerala was also laid on Sunday.

Kasaragod, Payyannur, Vadakara, Tirur and Shoranur Junction are the stations in Kerala that are being upgraded.

While Kasargod station will be developed at ₹25 crore, Payyannur at ₹32 crore, Vadakara at ₹23 crore, Tirur at ₹18 crore, and Shoranur Junction at ₹25 crore.

According to some reports, around 20-25 stations from Kerala would be included in the second phase of the project.

Experience the Future of Travel at Kasaragod Railway Station!

Witness the captivating 3D walkthrough showcasing the proposed station with state-of-the-art amenities and spacious parking lots.

Get ready to embark on a journey of modern convenience!#AmritBharatStations pic.twitter.com/fgSSsXsKCY

— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) August 6, 2023