"Modi's Rail Revolution: 103 Stations Transformed in Amrit Bharat Push"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate 103 redeveloped railway stations across 19 states on May 22 under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Among them is Deshnoke station in Bikaner, located near the India-Pakistan border.

Launched in 2022, the scheme aims to modernize 1,337 stations into urban hubs with airport-like amenities, while showcasing local art and heritage. The redeveloped stations include Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Begumpet (Telangana), Srirangam (Tamil Nadu), and Dakor (Gujarat). States with the highest number of upgraded stations include Uttar Pradesh (19), Gujarat (18), Maharashtra (15), and Tamil Nadu (9).

Each medium-sized station has been transformed at a cost ranging from ₹5 to ₹30 crore, featuring escalators, executive lounges, enhanced passenger information systems, free Wi-Fi, and expanded waiting areas. Designs reflect regional culture and architecture.

The project is part of a broader ₹1 lakh crore initiative, with most stations built under the EPC model and 20 key projects via PPP. Around ₹8,000 crore has been spent so far, with ₹12,000 crore earmarked for FY 2025-26. Progress is being tracked under the PM Gati Shakti initiative.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.