On February 26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to initiate the foundation laying for 550 Amrit Bharat stations, aiming to enhance railway facilities by developing rooftop plazas and city centres at an estimated cost of Rs 40,000 crore. The virtual ceremony will also mark the commencement of nearly 1,500 road overbridges and underbridges across various states. Conducted virtually at over 2,000 railway stations, the event will include the Prime Minister participating via videoconferencing.
The initiative, launched for the development of Indian Railways stations, entails the preparation and phased implementation of master plans. These plans focus on enhancing station amenities, including access improvement, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, lift/escalators, cleanliness, free WiFi, and kiosks for local products under schemes like ‘One Station, One Product.’ It also encompasses the creation of executive lounges, designated spaces for business meetings, and landscaping.
The scheme aims to integrate stations with both sides of cities, provide multimodal integration, cater to persons with disabilities, incorporate provisions for ballastless tracks, and ‘roof plazas’ as needed, and eventually create city centres at stations. The gradual transition to sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions is envisioned, taking into account funding availability and existing asset conditions.
To ensure smooth access, it proposes road widening, removal of unwanted structures, well-designed signages, dedicated pedestrian pathways, planned parking areas, and improved lighting. Additionally, high-level platforms (760-840 millimeters) are proposed at all station categories, with a general platform length of 600 meters. Currently, 1,318 stations have been selected under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, based on proposals from zonal railways and those situated in major cities and towns.