Amrit Bharat station scheme: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate approximately 2000
Indian Railways
infrastructure projects, collectively valued at over Rs 41,000 crore on Monday. Among these initiatives is the ambitious redevelopment of 553
railway stations
under the
Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
.
Ahead of the foundation laying ceremony, PM Narendra Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Today is a historic day for our Railways.
At 12:30 PM, 2000 railway infrastructure projects worth over Rs. 41,000 crores will be dedicated to the nation. In order to enhance the travel experience, 553 stations will be redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The foundation stones for these stations would be laid. Overbridges and underpasses across India will also be inaugurated. These works will further ‘Ease of Living’ for the people.”
The Prime Minister is set to initiate the redevelopment of 553 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, a move that signifies a substantial investment of over Rs 19,000 crore. These stations, spanning 27 states and Union Territories, will be transformed into vibrant ‘City Centers’, seamlessly integrating both sides of the city.
They will boast modern passenger amenities such as roof plazas, aesthetically pleasing landscaping, intermodal connectivity, enhanced modern facades, dedicated kids play areas, kiosks, and food courts.
Moreover, they will be redesigned to be environmentally sustainable and accessible for persons with disabilities. The architectural design of these stations will draw inspiration from local culture, heritage, and architectural styles, as highlighted in the official release.
The Ministry of Railways has introduced the ‘Amrit Bharat Station scheme’ aimed at the comprehensive development of stations across the Indian Railways network. This initiative adopts a long-term perspective, focusing on the continual enhancement of station facilities.
- The scheme entails the formulation and execution of Master Plans in stages to enhance various amenities at stations, including improving access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, and installing lifts/escalators as needed.
- It also prioritizes cleanliness, provision of free Wi-Fi, promoting local products through initiatives like ‘One Station One Product’, enhancing passenger information systems, establishing executive lounges, designated spaces for business meetings, and landscaping, tailored to the requirements of each station.
- Additionally, the scheme emphasizes the enhancement of station buildings, integrating stations with surrounding urban areas, promoting multimodal integration, providing facilities for ‘Divyangjans’ (persons with disabilities), implementing sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions, introducing ballastless tracks, and creating ‘Roof Plazas’ where necessary.
- The scheme also considers phasing, feasibility, and the long-term establishment of city centers at stations.
- In many of these stations, inspiration has been taken from airport infrastructure to create separate entry and exit points (departure and arrival) for the convenience of passengers.
Currently, 1318 stations have been earmarked for development/redevelopment under this scheme, while 1251 stations have already undergone development under the ‘Adarsh Stations Scheme’ on the Indian Railways network.