The total cost of upgrading the selected stations — Charni Road, Grant Road, Jogeshwari, Marine Lines, Malad, Lower Parel, and Prabhadevi stations — will be around Rs 50 crore.
The Ministry of Railways, as part of its station redevelopment drive, has formulated the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme to modernise small stations over the coming years.
Under the first phase of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, seven stations belonging to the Western Railway (WR) will receive a makeover.
The total cost of upgrading the selected stations — Charni Road, Grant Road, Jogeshwari, Marine Lines, Malad, Lower Parel, and Prabhadevi stations — will be around Rs 50 crore.
On 11 May, the Railway Board gave its approval for soft upgradation works of these railway stations.
The revamp work will involve upgrading basic amenities, façade, drainage system, road and circulating area, boundaries, entry/exit gates, platform surface, plantation.
A senior WR official stated that they scrutinised railway stations thoroughly and divided amenities and facilities into 20-25 segments to carry out improvements, as per Hindustan Times report.
Over the next six to eight months, several improvements will be made to passenger amenities at the station, including the cleanliness of toilet facilities, addressing water leaks, providing water coolers, benches, and huts, improving signages, and strengthening platform ends.
The booking office and entrances to foot over bridges (FOBs) and the main station will also be upgraded.
These necessary improvements will enhance the overall experience of passengers at the station.
Nandkumar Deshmukh, president of Federation of Railway Passengers Association, said, “There is a need to improve the surface of the platforms, which are uneven at places. Some platforms also need roofs. The need for cleaner station premises including toilets is a basic necessity”.
The Ministry of Railways, as part of its station redevelopment drive, has formulated the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme to modernise small stations over the coming years.
The scheme envisages development of stations on a continuous basis with a long- term vision.
It aims to move forward with preparation of masterplans of the railway stations and implementation of the plans in phases to enhance the facilities.
A total of 1,275 railway stations, including border areas, have been identified for development under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme.
32 stations in Mumbai have been chosen for the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, as per reports.
The WR authorities have also proposed construction of 12-meter-wide foot over bridges (FOBs) at 17 stations which is awaiting Railway Board’s approval for construction.
Additionally, the Central Railway (CR) will create vertical gardens in at least 15 stations — located on both the main and harbour lines — to enhance the horticulture scenery surrounding the concourse.
The initiative will also improve existing infrastructure, connect the stations to both sides of the city, cater to disabled individuals, prioritise eco-friendliness, and introduce modern features like roof plazas and ballast less tracks.