Indian Railways mulls modernising 1000 railway stations under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

The new "Amrit Bharat Station Scheme" by the railways aims to modernise 1,000 small but significant stations.

This is in addition to the ambitious proposal to remodel 200 large stations as part of a different redevelopment initiative.

According to officials, the tiny stations will be determined based on the cities they serve as well as their foot traffic.

According to the scheme document, it aims at preparing master plans of railway stations and implementing those in phases to enhance facilities including and beyond the minimum essential amenities and aim for the creation of roof plazas and city centres at stations.

The scheme's target is the introduction of new amenities as well as to upgrade and replace existing facilities, it said.

These stations will be redeveloped under what is being internally called the "Khurda model of redevelopment". Khurda station in Odisha was modernised for Rs 4 crore with all contemporary amenities for passengers. The main structure was renovated, the facade was redone, and the number of railway tracks was also increased.

DRMs were taken on a tour of the Khurda station to get a feel of what can be done under the new scheme, the official said.

The new scheme envisages cost-efficient improvement to facades and makes provisions for wide, well-lit, and aesthetically pleasing entrance porches.

The DRMs have been instructed to review existing buildings in the station premises and release space for passengers near the entrances, and enable relocation of rail offices to other places.

Modernisation of these stations would include improved station approaches to ensure smooth access by widening roads, removal of unwanted structures, properly designed signages, dedicated pedestrian pathways, well-planned parking areas, and improved lighting, among others.