Indian Railways have drawn up a new “Amrit Bharat Station Scheme” to upgrade 1,000 small, yet significant, stations.
This is in addition to the ambitious plan to renovate 200 large stations as part of the station redevelopment programme currently underway.
The new scheme is based on the idea to start modernising stations in a cost-effective manner. According to need, the Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs) will take a call on modernisation works in a phased manner.
According to the scheme document, it aims at preparing master plans of railway stations and implementing those in phases to enhance facilities including and beyond the minimum essential amenities and aim for the creation of roof plazas and city centres at stations.
The scheme’s target is the introduction of new amenities as well as to upgrade and replace existing facilities.
The small stations to be covered under the scheme would be identified not just for their footfalls but also based on the cities they cater to. A special fund will also be earmarked with the DRMs for this purpose.
Khurda Model of Redevelopment
The new plan to redevelop smaller stations is based on what is being internally called the “Khurda Model of Redevelopment”.
The Khurda Road station redevelopment project which was completed back in June this year, has now become an example of sustainable and modernistic development.
The Category-A station which falls in the Eastern division of Howrah-Chennai zone has all modern international amenities for passengers.
It is taken as a model station, as the development work has been carried out at only Rs 4 crore. Under the project, the number of railway tracks was increased with a revamp of the main building and facade beautification.
The new station building of Khurda Road Railway station with modern facilities, was inaugurated by Union Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on 30 June 2022.
DRMs were taken on a tour of the Khurda station to get a feel of what can be done under the new scheme, an official said.
Taking the model further, the Railways have decided to modernise and update Jeypore station in Odisha based on the Khurda Road Station Model.
15 Stations in Uttar Pradesh
Fifteen Uttar Pradesh stations falling under Northern Railways (NR) division will be revamped to give a new and modern look to them, under the Khurda Road Station Model.
These stations include Jaunpur Junction, Pratapgarh, Rae Bareli, Shahganj, Sultanpur, Bhadohi, Jaunpur City, Barabanki, Unnao, Prayagraj, Phaphamau, Kanpur Bridge, Manaknagar, Malhaur and Utrethia.
At an estimated expenditure of Rs 10 crore per station, these smaller stations will get a facelift with provision for modern facilities like shopping complex, hotel, parking, roof plaza etc.
Station Redevelopment Programme
Indian Railways is currently working on redevelopment of 199 Stations through the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) model. These are stations that have a footfall of over 50 lakh passengers per day.
Apart from this, the Union Cabinet in September 2022 approved Indian Railways’ proposal for redevelopment of 3 major railway stations with an approximate total investment of nearly Rs 10,000 crore.
These include New Delhi Railway Station, Ahmedabad Railway Station, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) Mumbai.
An analysis by Swarajya showed that until now 35 station railway station redevelopment projects worth over Rs 13,000 crore, across 14 zones have been awarded.
The process of awarding the three of the biggest railway redevelopment projects — New Delhi, CSMT Mumbai and Ahmedabad — is also underway