Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], August 25 : Union Minister G Kishan Reddy on Monday said that railway stations in Telangana are being upgraded with modern infrastructure under the Centre's Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, citing an example of Mahabubabad Railway Station.
In a post on social media platform X, Reddy said that the station, once completed, will offer world-class amenities to passengers. The redevelopment project, being executed at an estimated cost of Rs 26.49 crores, is in its final stages with 92 per cent of the work already complete.
The social media post reads, "Railway Stations in Telangana getting world-class facilities under Amrit Bharat! Mahabubadad Railway Station in Telangana, is witnessing a complete makeover under the Amrit Bharat Scheme. The station is set to offer state-of-the-art amenities to the passengers. Project cost: 26.49 Crores Work Status: 92% Complete."
https://x.com/kishanreddybjp/status/1959822566773944337
According to the Ministry of Railways, the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is a long-term plan of Central government to improve railway stations across India in a step-by-step manner. Under this scheme, detailed plans are made for each station and the work is done in phases, based on what each station needs.
The goal is to make stations cleaner, more comfortable, and easier to use. This includes improving entry and exit points, waiting halls, toilets, platforms, and roofing. Facilities like lifts, escalators, and free Wi-Fi are added wherever needed. There are also better signs and information systems to help passengers.
Some stations will have executive lounges and special areas for business meetings. Local products will be sold at kiosks under the 'One Station One Product' scheme, and efforts will be made to make stations look greener and more attractive.
The Amrit Bharat Mission scheme also focuses on upgrading the station buildings, connecting both sides of the city through the station, and linking stations with other transport options like buses and metros. Special care is being taken to make stations friendly for persons with disabilities. Eco-friendly solutions, noise-free tracks, and better planning are also part of the improvements. In the long run, the aim is to turn stations into vibrant city centres that serve many purposes beyond just travel.
The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme signifies a concerted effort by Indian Railways to modernize its infrastructure in order to elevate the travel experience for millions of passengers. The scheme envisages building modern passenger amenities like aesthetically designed facade, resurfaced platforms, beautiful landscaping, roof plaza, kiosks, food courts, kids play area among others. Efforts to ensure smooth access encompass widening roads, removing unwanted structures, installing well-designed signages, establishing dedicated pedestrian pathways, and enhancing parking facilities, alongside improved lighting arrangements.
As per the Ministry of Railways, the origin of the Amrit Bharat Stations scheme can be traced back to 2021, when Gandhinagar became the first Railway station to undergo modernization, replete with all modern facilities and a five star hotel. Later on in the same year, Rani Kamalapati Railway Station, formerly known as Habibganj wore a new look.
Indian Railways is committed to make its railway stations accessible for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjans) and passengers with reduced mobility as part of "Sugamya Bharat Mission" or 'Accessible India Campaign' of Government of India. The guidelines include provisions of facilities for Divyangjans and passengers with reduced mobility such as entrance ramps, accessible parking, low height ticket counters/help booths, toilets, drinking water booths, subways/foot over bridges with ramps/lifts, standard signages including Braille signages and tactile pathways for visual impairment, etc.