On August 6, 2023, the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 508 Railway Stations as Amrit Bharat Stations covering 27 states and Union Territories (UTs) via video conferencing in New Delhi, Delhi . This redevelopment will be done at a cost of more than Rs 24,470 crores under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS).
Highlights:
i.The redevelopment will cover 55 each in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Rajasthan, 49 in Bihar, 44 in Maharashtra, 37 in West Bengal (WB), 34 in Madhya Pradesh (MP), 32 in Assam, 25 in Odisha, 22 in Punjab, 21 each in Gujarat and Telangana, 20 in Jharkhand, 18 each in Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Tamil Nadu (TN), 15 in Haryana, 13 in Karnataka among others.
ii.55 will be developed at the cost of approx Rs 4,000 crores in UP, and Rajasthan, 34 stations in MP at the cost of approx Rs 1,000 crores, 44 stations in Maharashtra at the cost of 1,500 crores, among others.
What is ABSS?
i.Launched in February 2023, it aims to transform and revitalize 1,309 railway stations across India by enhancing the overall passenger experience and making them world-class travel hubs. The above 508 stations are a part of these 1,309 stations.
ii.Under the project, all the stations will be redeveloped as city centers which will led to the overall urban development of the cities.
- There will be a roof plaza, shopping zone, food court, kids play area, multi-level parking, escalators, executive lounge, and special facilities for specially abled will also be available in these stations.
iii.To ensure smooth access, there will be widening of roads, removal of unwanted structures, properly designed signages, dedicated pedestrian pathways, well planned parking areas, improved lighting etc.
iv.A sufficient number of toilets, escalators, more comfortable and durable furniture at waiting halls, and free Wifi will be created.
v.There will be landscaping/horticulture, integrated passenger information system, signages, improvement of platforms and platform shelters, benches and washbasins, better illumination and power supply arrangements, and CCTV (Closed Circuit Television), among other.
vi.The design of the station buildings will be inspired by local culture, heritage and architecture.
Note: The Indian Railways runs over 13,000 trains every day covering 7,325 stations across India.
Recent Related News:
i.Railway Energy Management Company (REMC) Limited, a subsidiary of RITES (Rail India Technical and Economic Service) Limited, has set up a National Energy Management Centre (NEMC) that has been established at its office in Delhi.
ii.On 18th May 2023, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation, several railway projects worth more than Rs 8000 crores in Odisha including Vande Bharat Express between Puri-Howrah.
About Ministry of Railways:
Union Minister– Ashwini Vaishnaw(Rajya Sabha- Odisha)
Ministers of State– Raosaheb Patil Danve, Darshana Jardosh
