From Lagging Behind In Basic Amenities To Modernisation, Amrit Bharat Stations Changing The Picture Of Railway

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (22 May) inagurated 103 Redeveloped Amrit Bharat Railway Stations across the country from Assam to Karnataka.

With this inaguration Indian Railway prepares to revolutionise Train Journey which connects people to its country.

The Modi Goverment ambitious project Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) aims to modernise 1300 Railway Stations across India.

As per the press release by Ministry of Railway, the newly inagurated railway stations are redeveloped under 1,100 crore budget which are situated in 86 districts of 18 states in India.

These include states like Uttar Pradesh (19 Railway Stations), Bihar (2 Railway Stations) Karnataka and others.

The five railway stations in Karnataka – Munirabad, Bagalkot, Gadag, Gokak Road and Dharwad – have been extensively upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Station Yojana.

These stations now have advanced passenger amenities, easy access for Divyangjans, modern infrastructure and improved aesthetics, which blends old-time design with local culture.

However, the mission of the railways goes beyond improving the infrastructure.

Some of these stations did not even have basic amenities earlier, but their picture has changed after the makeover under the ABSS.

Shankarpur Railway Station

Shankarpur Railway Station in Deoghar district of Jharkhand under Asansol Railway Division is one such station. After redevelopment at a cost of Rs 7.7 crore under ABSS, the buildings here have now been equipped with modern facilities.

The architectural design has also been given a new look. Modern facilities include clean drinking water, ramps for the disabled, proper seating arrangements for passengers and ticket counters are available after the renovation.

138 Years Old Railway Stations Of Assam

The Haibargaon station is one among the 50 railway stations selected in Assam under ABSS. The inclusion of Haibargaon, renovated at a cost of approximately Rs 15.85 crore, marks the beginning of a new chapter for rail infrastructure in the region.

The redevelopment of Haibargaon station not only symbolises technological and architectural upliftment but also the government’s intention to bring India’s Northeast region into the fold of rapid national development.

Deshnok Railway Station

Deshnok Railway Station located near Karni Mata Temple in Rajasthan, has been redeveloped at a cost of Rs 14.18 crore. The station building has been completely redeveloped matching modern Indian architecture while preserving the culture.

Now the station building has enough space for the devotees to stay. Earlier only one or two trains used to stop at the station daily.

Pirpainti Railway Station

Pirpainti railway station in Bhagalpur district has been given a grand makeover under the Amrit Bharat Station Yojana. This includes expansion of passenger amenities along with beautification of the station.

DRM Manish Kumar Gupta said that Pirpainti station, classified in the NSG-5 category, is an important center of the Eastern Railway zone.

Under the first phase of the Amrit Bharat Station Yojana, redevelopment work was done for Pirpainti station at a cost of Rs 18.93 crore.

The scheme includes civil, electrical, signaling and telecommunications, signage, installation of lifts and construction of a 12 meter wide foot over bridge (FOB) with roof plaza.

Additionally, separate arrival and departure blocks, pedestrian walkways, attractive sculptures, standard interiors and a modern courtyard with aesthetic lighting have also been included to enhance the functionality and visual beauty of the station.

What Is Amrit Bharat Station Scheme?

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is a long-term project of the Indian Railways that aims to transform over 1,300 railway stations across the country. It follows a phased redevelopment model, with upgrades to the specific needs of each station.

The plan focuses on integrating modern amenities, sustainable design, regional architectural features, and passenger-centric services, making these stations not just transit points but also gateways to cities.

Modern Facilities

The scheme aims to make stations across India cleaner, more comfortable and easier to use. This will include improving entry and exit points, waiting rooms, toilets, platforms and rooftops.

Apart from this, facilities like lifts, escalators and free Wi-Fi will be added wherever needed.

Gandhinagar in Gujarat was one of the stations in India that was rejuvenated under ABSS in 2021. The station now has modern facilities and a five-star hotel.