PM Modi dedicates Rs 41,000-cr worth railway projects, including 57 Amrit stations, to the nation

HYDERABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated around 2,000 railway infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 41,000 crores to the nation via video conferencing on Monday. The event Viksit Bharat Viksit Railways witnessed massive participation of people connected from 500 railway stations and 1,500 other venues.

Simultaneously, a programme was held at Begumpet Railway Station, in which Telangana Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu, Rajya Sabha MP Dr K Laxman, South Central Railway (SCR) General Manager Arun Kumar Jain, DRM Secunderabad Bartesh Kumar Jain and other officials participated.

During the event, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for developing Begumpet Railway Station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, which includes 57 Amrit stations and 156 RuBs/RoBs in the South Central Railway jurisdiction. In his speech, the Prime Minister emphasised that India worked at an unprecedented speed and scale and that the event was a symbol of the new work culture of New India. He congratulated the citizens of India for the railway projects of today, which saw the light of day after months of hard work.

Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan stated that 15 railway stations in Telangana would be developed with airport standard facilities, and several Vande Bharat Express trains were being run in Telangana. She also mentioned that One Station One Product stalls were being run in many railway stations to promote Telangana's local products, art forms, and cultural heritage.

Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka stated that the railway was the most extensive transportation network in the country, which integrated all the distant places of the nation. Indian Railways was helpful for the highest population numbers with the lowest transport charges. He stated that Railways helped the nation's economic progress with punctual freight transportation. He also noted that the state government was ready to cooperate in developing railway projects in the Telangana region.

Rajya Sabha MP Dr Laxman stated that the occasion was historic in providing modern facilities nationwide at the 554 railway stations. The Union Government worked with a particular focus on the development of railways, roads, and airlines for the progress of society and the country, he said.

SCR General Manager Arun Kumar Jain stated that 57 stations of South Central Railway and 156 Road Over Bridges and Road Under Bridges were laid foundation stone/dedicated to the nation as part of this momentous occasion. He also said that 15 additional railway stations in Telangana, including Begumpet Railway station, also laid the foundation for today's prestigious program. In addition, 34 stations in Andhra Pradesh, 6 in Maharashtra, and 2 in Karnataka across SCR laid the foundation for this momentous event.

Begumpet railway station would be developed under the "Amrit Station Scheme" for Rs. 22.57 crores. A long-term master plan has been prepared, envisaging the development of a modern facade, improvement to the circulating area, free flow of traffic facilities, improvements to waiting halls, and the provision of passenger-friendly signages, among others. The upgrade plans under Amrit Station improved the station's class and comfort and catered to the ever-increasing demands of rail users.