Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed that the Railway Ministry has pinpointed 1,318 railway stations for development or redevelopment as part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS). This update comes as an update, as previously, responses in parliament indicated that 1,309 stations were slated for revamp work.
Amrit Bharat Station Scheme’s phased implementation
Vaishnaw elaborated on the ABSS, stating, “The Ministry of Railways has launched the ‘Amrit Bharat Station scheme’ for the development of stations on the Indian Railways network. This scheme aims to develop stations continuously with a long-term perspective.”
He further detailed the scheme’s objectives, which include the preparation and implementation of master plans in phases to enhance amenities such as station access, waiting halls, cleanliness, and Wi-Fi access, among others, tailored to each station’s specific requirements.
1,251 stations developed under Adarsh Station Scheme
“So far, 1,318 stations, including 30 in Punjab, have been identified for development/redevelopment under this scheme. Additionally, 1,251 stations have been developed under the Adarsh Station Scheme, including 32 in Punjab,” he explained.
The scheme also encompasses broader goals such as building improvement, city integration, multimodal connectivity, facilities for persons with disabilities, environmental sustainability, and the creation of city centers at stations in the long term.
Responding to queries from Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Kumar Mittal regarding station redevelopment in Punjab under ABSS and the previous Adarsh Station Scheme, Vaishnaw provided insights.
Allocation and expenditure
Vaishnaw also shed light on the financial aspect, mentioning that two Zonal Railways, Northern Railway (NR) and North Western Railway (NWR), cater to Punjab. He highlighted the expenditure under Plan Head-53 for the fiscal years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24, totaling Rs 1,148.74 crore, with a current year allocation of Rs 2,613.36 crore.
Regarding the implementation status of recommendations from the 6th report of the Standing Committee on Railways (17th Lok Sabha) on Passenger Amenities, Vaishnaw stated that the report was presented to both Houses of Parliament on March 8, 2021.