Lok Sabha Question No. 3579 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Station Development Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Gowdar Mallikarjunappa Siddeshwara

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3579 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2023

## STATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

3579. SHRI G.M. SIDDESHWAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  present  status  of  work  done  so  far  under  the  station development project;
- (b) the reasons for which the Government has decided to shut down the Indian Railway Station Development Corporation Ltd. (IRSDC); and
- (c) the fresh steps taken by the Government for redevelopment of all major railway stations on priority basis, particularly in Karnataka?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to (c) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3579 BY SHRI G.M. SIDDESHWAR TO BE  ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 22.03.2023 REGARDING STATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.

(a) to (c) Modernisation/Upgradation of Railway Stations is a continuous  and  ongoing  exercise.    Three  stations  viz:    Rani Kamlapati  in  the  State  of  Madhya  Pradesh,  Gandhinagar  in  the State  of  Gujarat  and  Sir  M.  Visveswaraya  Railway  Station  in  the State of Karnataka have been redeveloped/modernized so far.

Based  on  the  experience  gained  from  these  three  stations, the Amrit Bharat Station scheme has been launched for development of stations on Indian Railways.  1275 Railway Stations have  been  identified  for  development  under  this  scheme  out  of which  53  stations  are  in  the  State  of  Karnataka.    This  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 such 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  ballast  less  tracks, 'Roof Plazas' as per necessity, phasing and feasibility and creation of city centres at the station in the long term.

A Special Purpose Vehicle, Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC), a Joint Venture company  of  Rail  Land  Development  Authority  (RLDA)  and  Ircon International Limited (IRCON) was incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 on 12th April, 2012. The activities performed by both IRSDC and RLDA under station development/redevelopment programme were overlapping. As such a need was felt that one of the two bodies should be identified as the sole functioning entity and  given  full  responsibilities.  Accordingly,  it  was  decided  that IRSDC  be  closed  and  the  works  presently  assigned  to  IRSDC  be transferred to RLDA and Zonal Railways.

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