Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to virtually lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 508 railway stations across the country on Sunday.
The ambitious project is estimated to cost Rs 24,470 crore, making it a historic move as it marks the first time in the world that such a vast number of stations will undergo redevelopment.
The railway official stated that the department aims to complete the redevelopment work of these stations by 2025. Prime Minister Modi is actively monitoring the progress of the project, and he has personally provided inputs in the design of these stations.
These 508 stations are part of the Amrit Bharat Station scheme and are spread across 27 states and Union Territories. Some of the states with the highest number of stations to be revamped include Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Maharashtra. The first phase of the facelift program will cover multiple states, and a second phase for other stations will be explored later.
The comprehensive redevelopment plan covers all stations, regardless of size, ensuring that passenger amenities are significantly improved.
The intended facilities include foot-overbridges, escalators, elevators, parking areas for two-wheelers and cars, landscaping, integrated passenger information systems, signage, platform enhancements, better illumination, CCTV coverage, and much more.
Furthermore, the redevelopment projects will also focus on developing railways as multi-modal hubs, coordinating with ongoing Smart City projects. This major undertaking aims to revolutionize railway station infrastructure, making travel more comfortable and efficient for the millions of passengers who use the Indian railway network.