NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday virtually inaugurated the foundation stone laying ceremony for the redevelopment of 508 railway stations across India under the ‘Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.’
This ambitious scheme covers a total of 1309 railway stations in India and aims to modernize them by introducing state-of-the-art amenities and sustainable solutions.
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A core principle guiding the redevelopment projects is “Virasat Bhi, Vikaas Bhi,” emphasizing the preservation of each station’s traditional heritage and cultural identity while integrating cutting-edge modern facilities.
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Key feature of this scheme:
- Master Plans being prepared for development of stations as ‘City Centres’
- Integration of both sides of city
- Improvement/redevelopment of station buildings
- Provision of well designed modern passenger amenities
- Well designed traffic circulation and inter-modal integration
- Uniform and well designed signages for guidance of passengers
- Provision of suitable property development in the Master Plans
- Landscaping, Local Art & Culture
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Amrit Bharat Station Scheme’ broadly envisages the following facilities/amenities:
- Improvement of station approaches, circulating area, parking
- Improvement of station façade, illumination
- Improved waiting halls, toilets
- Provision of high-level platforms, improvement of surfaces and increase in platform cover
- Provision of lift/escalators
- Facilities for Divyangjan
- Executive lounges, Meeting Places & Free WiFi
- Booths for One Station One Product
- Roof Plazas with station buildings as per phasing and feasibility
- Creation of city centers at the stations in long term
- Aim to merge waiting halls and enhance cafeteria/retail options