121 Railway Stations Set For Revamp With Rs 4,605 Crore In South Central Railway Zone Under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

The South Central Railway (SCR) is embarking on a major overhaul of 121 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), with a total investment of Rs 4,605 crore.

The ABSS aims to enhance and modernise railway stations throughout the Indian Railways network. The scheme currently intends to upgrade and modernize a total of 1275 stations across the Indian Railway system.

Key stations like Secunderabad, Tirupati, Nellore, and Rajahmundry are among the ones receiving upgrades. Cherlapalli will also see the development of a new satellite terminal.

As part of efforts to ease congestion for pilgrims heading to Tirupati, the Tiruchanur railway station will be transformed into a crossing station. Additionally, development proposals are under review for Renigunta and Gudur stations, potentially adding to the expanding infrastructure.

Feasibility studies for stations such as Kacheguda, Lingampalli, and Vijayawada are ongoing, with detailed project reports nearing completion. The station upgrades will focus on improving aesthetics with enhanced facades, widened approach roads, and the integration of local art and culture. Other enhancements include the installation of LED signage, improved landscaping, upgraded waiting areas, and clearer, user-friendly signage.

In other developments, SCR General Manager Arun Kumar Jain has introduced ‘Looker Studio,’ an awareness initiative by the Railway Protection Force (RPF). This project utilizes advanced AI tools to produce educational videos in multiple languages, including Hindi, English, and Telugu. The videos, featuring multimedia elements such as voiceovers, background music, and animations, aim to raise awareness about security and safe travel for both the public and railway personnel.

ABSS Scheme

Amrit Bharat Station scheme envisages development of stations on a continuous basis with a long-term approach. It involves preparation of Master Plans and their implementation in phases to improve the amenities at the stations like improvement of station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, lift/escalators as necessary, cleanliness, free Wi-Fi, kiosks for local products through schemes like ‘One Station One Product’, better passenger information systems, Executive Lounges, nominated spaces for business meetings, landscaping etc. keeping in view the necessity at each station.

The scheme also envisages improvement of building, integrating the station with both sides of the city, multimodal integration, amenities for Divyangjans, sustainable and environment friendly solutions, provision of ballastless tracks, ‘Roof Plazas’ as per necessity, phasing and feasibility and creation of city centres at the station in the long term.