PM to lay foundation for projects worth Rs 1,800 crore under South Central Railway

HYDERABAD: Marking another major milestone in the transformative growth story underway in the Indian Railways, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be unveiling 554 Amrit Stations and 1,500 road over bridges and road under bridges.

A major transformation was underway in Indian Railways to upgrade railway stations on a massive scale, to provide world-class facilities for rail passengers.

Under the "Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS)", railway stations across the nation are being redeveloped, not only to provide modern passenger amenities but also to convert them into growth centres for the city's populace.

Also Read: 50 Amrit Bharat stations, including Hyderabad to get facelift in South Central Railway

The mission got a fillip when, in August 2023, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 508 Railway Stations across the country.

The ABSS policy formulated by the Ministry of Railways was aimed to modernise Railway stations, envisaging development continuously with a long-term vision. The idea was based on the implementation of various critical elements as per a master-plan that caters to ever-increasing needs and enhanced patronage of the Railway stations.

Addressing the press, Arun Kumar Jain, General Manager of South Central Railway (SCR) here on Saturday at Rail Nilayam, said that all these initiatives would further strengthen the rail infrastructure in the zone, while also enhancing the safety standards across its rail networks.

He said that the redevelopment of these railway stations was accorded top priority so that work was completed within the planned period. Once completed, these stations would provide a unique experience for rail passengers traveling from these stations with modern amenities.

As part of the huge project, 57 Amrit stations and 156 ROBs/RUBS spread across the States of SCR jurisdiction would be built and dedicated to the nation.

These include 15 stations in Telangana, 34 stations in Andhra Pradesh, six stations in Maharashtra, and two stations in Karnataka at a cost of nearly Rs. 925 crore. It would also include 156 ROBs and RUBs at a combined cost of nearly Rs. 927.31 crore spread across the zone.

Facilities planned under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme include:

• Improvement of facades & aesthetically pleasing entrance porches

• Betterment of station approaches to ensure smooth access by widening roads

• Properly designed signages, dedicated pedestrian pathways, well-planned parking areas, improved lighting, etc.

• Creation of landscaping, green patches

• Preference to local art and culture to create a pleasant experience for the rail users.

• Earmarking stalls for the "One Station One Product" scheme.

• Enabling a second entry to the station building and circulating area as per the feasibility.

• Construction of high-level platforms and adequate platform shelters.

• Provision of passenger facilities and amenities like a high-quality public announcement system

• LED-based station name boards, improvements to waiting halls, user-friendly signages, etc.

In addition, 156 ROB/RUBs spread across the four states in the jurisdiction would help in strengthening the safety of both road and rail users, facilitate seamless movement of traffic for road users without any detention at level crossing gates, save journey and fuel costs for road commuters and acts a bridge connecting localities, villages and towns.

List of Stations in TS and AP under ABSS

Telangana

Basar, Nalgonda, Begumpet, Peddapalli,Gadwal, Shadnagar, Jadcherla, Umdanagar, Vikarabad, Manchiryal, Medak, Warangal, Medchal, Yakutpura and Miryalaguda.

Total cost: Rs 230.24 crore

Andhra Pradesh

Adoni,Anantapur, Anaparthi, Bapatla, Chirala, Machilipatnam, Madanapalle Rd, Mangalagiri, Mantralayam Rd, Markapur Road, Chittor, Nadikude, Cumbum, Nandyal Jn, Dharmavaram, Narasaraopet, Dhone, Pakala, Elamanchili, Rajahmundry, Giddalur, Rajampet, Rayanapadu, Gooty, Gudivada, Samalkot, Gunadala, Sattenapalle, Srikalahasti, Guntur, Kadapa, Tadipatri, Vinukonda and Macherla.

Total cost: Rs 613.30 crore