NEW DELHI, Aug 6: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday virtually laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 508 railway stations across the country to be carried out at the cost of over ₹24,470 crores.
The chosen 508 stations are spread across 27 states and union territories, including 55 each in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, 49 in Bihar, 44 in Maharashtra, 37 in West Bengal, 34 in Madhya Pradesh, 32 in Assam, 25 in Odisha, 22 in Punjab, 21 each in Gujarat and Telangana, 20 in Jharkhand, 18 each in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, 15 in Haryana, and 13 in Karnataka among others.
Mr. Modi informed that these stations were part of the plan – Amrit Bharat Stations scheme in which almost 1300 prime railway stations in the country will be redeveloped. Modi mentioned that 55 Amrit Stations will be developed at the cost of ₹4,000 crores in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, 34 stations in Madhya Pradesh at the cost of ₹1,000 crores, 44 stations in Maharashtra at ₹1,500 crores, and prime railway stations in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala among others will be redeveloped.
Master Plans were being prepared for the development of these stations as ‘City Centres’, with proper integration of both sides of the city. This integrated approach is driven by the holistic vision of the overall urban development of the city, centred around the railway station. These stations will have better seating on platforms, upgraded waiting rooms and free Wi-Fi amongst other things.
The redevelopment will provide modern passenger amenities along with ensuring well-designed traffic circulation, inter-modal integration, and signage for the guidance of passengers. The design of the station buildings will be inspired by local culture, heritage, and architecture.
Modi mentioned that Jaipur Railway Stations will have glimpses of Hawa Mahal and Amer Fort from Rajasthan, Jammu Tawi Railway Station will be inspired by the famous Raghunath Mandir and Dimapur Station of Nagaland will showcase the local architecture of 16 different tribes from the region.
Talking about the railway extension in the Northeast, Modi said the work was going on rapidly on doubling of the lines, gauge conversion, electrification, and new routes. “Soon, all State capitals of the Northeast India will be connected by railway network”, he said adding Nagaland got its second station after 100 years.
Modi also launched a scathing attack on the Opposition saying that it was time for “corruption, dynasty, and appeasement to quit India.” “Inspired by Quit India Movement, entire country is now saying corruption, dynasty, appeasement should quit India,” Modi said,
The Prime Minister accused the Opposition of playing “negative politics” and alleged that a part of the Opposition was working on a principle that “neither will they work nor let others work.” “Rising above negative politics, we are moving on path of positive politics in mission mode, giving priority to development,” he said.
He said that today, the focus of the entire world was on India. “India, which is heading towards the goal of being developed, is at the beginning of Amrit Kaal. There is new energy, new inspiration and new resolutions and in this spirit, a new chapter is beginning in the history of Indian Railways,” Modi said.
Modi informed that 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. 40% reduction in time has been witnessed on the other routes also which is hugely benefitting entrepreneurs, industrialists, and farmers, he said.
Modi emphasized that the government aimed to produce green energy from every railway station soon. He also mentioned that 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. Modi underlined that all the Amrit stations will be built to meet the standards of green buildings. “By 2030, India will be a country whose railway network will run on net zero emissions,” he added.
(Manas Dasgupta)