New Delhi, Aug 06 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 508 railway stations across the country through video conferencing. The stations will be redeveloped under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme at a cost of over Rs 24, 470 crores.
Addressing the event, Modi said: “It is the beginning of a new era of development in the history of Indian Railways, which will benefit all the common citizens of the country”.”The redevelopment of 508 railway stations will lead to a significant transformation of rail infrastructure in India,” he added.
The Prime Minister said the budgetary support for the Railways has been increased by 5 times as compared to 2014, which is now at 2.40 lakh crore rupees. Talking about the scheme, he said: “Around 1300 major railway stations in India will now be developed as Amrit Bharat Railway Station of which work on the redevelopment of 508 Amrit Bharat Railway Stations begins today”.
Modi said around 25,000 Crores will be spent on the redevelopment of these stations which will give a major boost to the Railways infrastructure. The Prime Minister said the government is giving priority to the expansion of the railway network in the North Eastern states…adding that the work towards electrification, doubling of the tracks, and the construction of new routes are on the fast track.
The Prime Minister said India’s credibility has increased at the global level and the world’s attitude towards India has changed. Criticizing the opposition, the PM said: “They have never appreciated the development works, be it the construction of new Parliament building, the statue of Unity or redevelopment of Kartavya Path”.
He said that there is a need to rise above negative politics, as India is moving ahead on the path of positive politics as a mission. In his initial remarks, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vasihnaw said the Prime Ministerhas given lots of priority to the railways in the last nine years. Vaishnaw said the redeveloped railway stations will provide world-class amenities to passengers.
The minister said the unprecedented development that has taken place in the last nine years is a testimony of the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed India. The 508 stations are spread across 27 states and union territories. They include 55 stations each in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, 49 in Bihar, 44 in Maharashtra, 37 in West Bengal, 34 in Madhya Pradesh, 32 in Assam, and 25 in Odisha among others.
The redeveloped stations will provide modern passenger amenities along with ensuring well-designed traffic circulation, inter-modal integration, and well-designed signage for the guidance of passengers. The design of the station buildings will be inspired by local culture, heritage, and architecture.(UNI)
Prime Minister Modi lays foundation for redevelopment of 508 railway stations
