Ashwini Vaishnaw, the railway minister said in the Rajya Sabha that the Railway Ministry has identified 1,318 railway stations for the development/redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Which indicate that redevelopment plans have extend to include 9 additional stations.
As before, a total of 1,309 stations were identified for renovation.
Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a reply to a question ask by MP Ashok Kumar Mittal, said that this redevelopment has initiate by the Ministry of Railways to facilitate the ongoing development of stations across the Indian Railways.
Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is design to ensure the continuous and long-term improvement of stations.
Ashwini Vaishnaw also said that the scheme includes the formulation and execution of master plans in sequential stages to enhance facilities at the stations.
This encompasses improvements in station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, installation of necessary lift/escalators, cleanliness, provision of free Wi-Fi, establishment of kiosks for local products under initiatives like ‘One Station One Product’, enhancement of passenger information systems, creation of executive lounges, designate areas for business meetings, landscaping, and other amenities, tailor to the specific needs of each station.
As per the railway minister, the scheme also envisions the enhancement of infrastructure, fostering integration between the station and both sides of the city, promoting multi-modal connectivity, providing facilities for ‘Divyangjans’ (persons with disabilities), adopting sustainable and eco-friendly solutions, implementing ballastless tracks, incorporating ‘roof plazas’ as needed, considering phased development and feasibility, and establishing city centers at the station in the long run.
Ashok Kumar Mittal had inquire about the progress of the railway station redevelopment in Punjab under both the scheme and its predecessor, the Adarsh Station Scheme.
Also, he sought information on the measures taken by the government in line with the recommendations outline in the 6th report on ‘Passenger Amenities, including the Modernisation of Railway Stations’.
In his reply, Minister said that the scheme has identified a total of 1,318 stations for development/redevelopment, including 30 railway stations in Punjab.
Under the ‘Adarsh Station Scheme,’ 1,251 stations have develop across Indian Railways, with 32 stations in Punjab, Ashwini Vaishnaw said.
Ashwini Vaishnaw further said that Punjab is serve by two Zonal Railways, like Northern Railway (NR) and North Western Railway (NWR).
Expenditure totaling Rs 1,148.74 crore has incurre under Plan Head-53 during the years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24, with a current year allocation of Rs 2,613.36 crore.”
Giving an update on the implementation of recommendations from the 6th report of the Standing Committee on Railways (17th Lok Sabha) concerning ‘Passenger Amenities, including Modernisation of Railway Stations,’ Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the report was present in both Houses of Parliament on 8th March 2021.
