Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasised the significance of railway stations as integral components of culture and daily life. He said that their role in reflects, preserve and promote cultural heritage of a city. He cited redevelopment projects in Ayodhya and Puri as examples. The redeveloped Ayodhya station in Uttar Pradesh incorporates traditional architecture in line with the upcoming Ram temple, while the revamped Puri station reflects the architectural features of the renowned Jagannath Temple.
Vaishnaw highlighted the importance of aligning railway stations with the character of the cities they serve, emphasising the need for development to integrate and protect cultural heritage. The minister, during a review in Bhubaneswar, stated that the goal is to embed cultural aspects into the redevelopment of railway stations.
Amrit Station Scheme
The Railway Ministry launched the Amrit Station Scheme in 2021, focusing on the redevelopment of 1,309 railway junctions with a special emphasis on passenger safety and amenities.
Vaishnaw outlined the planned approach to designing stations, ensuring the incorporation of cultural elements. He mentioned that similar concepts are being applied to the redevelopment of other stations under the scheme.
Regarding the completion deadline for the redevelopment projects, Vaishnaw acknowledged the complexity and scale of the initiative. While such projects typically take years, he commended the railway divisions for their impressive speed in executing the works. During his review in Bhubaneswar, he expressed satisfaction with the progress at the Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack railway stations.