New Delhi: The redevelopment project of 14 railway stations in Delhi-NCR under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The foundation stone will be laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. The railway station includes Delhi Cantt, Sabzi Mandi, Narela, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad.
Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “The Prime Minister is personally monitoring the progress. He has given excellent input on the design of stations. So far, foundation stones of 30 stations have been laid and these are progressing well.”
As part of the government’s initiative, the revamp of 508 stations is set to receive a massive investment of over Rs 24,470 crore in a single day. The primary focus of the station redevelopment program is to offer state-of-the-art passenger amenities under the scheme. The projects in the Delhi division are targeted to be completed within 8-10 months, according to Shobhan Choudhuri, the general manager of Northern Railway. Once the foundation stone is laid by the Prime Minister, the executing agency will promptly commence the civil and electrical works.
The revamped stations aim to showcase the grandeur of India, its art, and its rich cultural heritage. The scheme entails various improvements such as smooth access to stations by removing unnecessary structures, enhanced lighting, improved circulating areas, upgraded parking space, and infrastructure supporting people with disabilities. The design elements include developing stations as city centres, integrating both sides of the city, renovating buildings, and providing modern, well-designed passenger amenities. Additionally, functional traffic circulation, inter-modal integration, uniform and helpful signage, and highlighting of local art and culture are key features.
In the Delhi division, several stations, including Bahadurgarh, Rohtak, Sonipat, Sabzi Mandi, Mansa, Modinagar, Jind, Narwana, Pataudi Road, and Shamli, are scheduled for revamp. The plan encompasses a wide range of activities, including station facelifts, new lines, 100% electrification, and enhanced safety measures. Lifts, escalators, concourses, waiting rooms, and retail areas with modern facilities will be provided to improve passenger experiences.