PM to launch revamp of 508 railway stations at ₹24,470 crore

Source: The post is based on the article “PM to launch revamp of 508 railway stations at ₹24,470 crore”  published in The Hindu on 7th August 2023.

What is the News?

The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 508 railway stations spread across the country.

These stations were part of the Amrit Bharat Stations scheme in which almost 1300 prime railway stations in the country will be redeveloped. 

What is the Amrit Bharat Stations scheme?

Launched by: Ministry of Railways

Objective: To develop railway stations on a continuous basis with a long-term approach.

Key Features of the scheme: The scheme is based on preparing Master Planning for long term and implementation of the same as per needs and demand of the station to station.

– It aims to improve the amenities at the stations like improvement of station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toils, lift/escalators necessary, cleanliness, free Wi-Fi, Kiosks for local products through schemes like ‘One Station One Product’, better passenger information systems among others.,

– The scheme also envisages improvement of building, integrating the station with both sides of the city, amenities for Divyangjans, sustainable and environment friendly solutions, provision of ballastless tracks, ‘Roof Plazas’ as per necessity, phasing and feasibility and creation of city centers at the station in the long term. 

Railway Stations covered: Under the scheme, almost 1300 prime railway stations in the country will be redeveloped.

What are the other steps taken by the government of India in the Railways sector?

In the last 9 years more than 2200 km dedicated freight corridors have been constructed leading to a reduction in the travel time of the goods train. Now goods reach western ports from Delhi-NCR in 24 hours, a task that used to take 72 hours. 

LED lights have been installed in about 70,000 coaches and the number of bio-toilets in trains has increased 28 times as compared to 2014.

By 2030, India will be a country whose railway network will run on net zero emissions.