Lok Sabha Question No. 216 (STARRED), answered on 2023-03-15
Subject: Historical Thane Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Sarmistha Sethi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 216 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2023

## HISTORICAL THANE RAILWAY STATION

*216. SHRIMATI SARMISTHA SETHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  proposes  to  refurbish  certain  stations across the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the historical Thane railway station at the central railway route has been selected for this purpose;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the nature of works proposed to be carried out in this regard;
- (d) the time by which the refurbishment of the said station is likely to be started; and
- (e)  the  amount  of  funds  allocated  for  the  purpose  and  the  present status of the said project?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF STARRED QUESTION NO.  216  BY  SHRIMATI  SARMISTHA  SETHI  TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 15.03.2023 REGARDING HISTORICAL THANE RAILWAY STATION

(a)  to  (e):  Ministry  of  Railways  has  recently  launched  a  Scheme  of 'Amrit Bharat Station' for development of Stations on Indian Railways. This  scheme  envisages  development  of  stations  on  a  continuous basis with a long term approach.

The  scheme  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  WiFi,  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 centers at the station in the long term.

So far, 1275 railway stations have been identified under this scheme including Thane railway station.

Presently, Station Area Traffic Improvement System (SATIS) in East side  has  been  taken  up  at  Thane  Railway  Station.  SATIS  (East) project  envisages  provision  of  elevated  deck  for  bus  stand  for transport integration, basement parking and provision for construction of commercial space. Work of earthwork excavation for basement has also been taken up. Further  development  of  the  station  envisages  construction  of  roof plaza at the station, integration with SATIS, improvement of entry/exit  and  access  roads  of  the  stations  along  with  enhance amenities for the passengers under the 'Amrit Bharat Station Scheme'. Development/redevelopment of Railway Stations is complex in nature involving safety of passengers  and  trains  and requires various statutory  clearances  from  urban/local  bodies  etc.  and  these  factors affect the completion time. Therefore, no time frame can be indicated. The details of allocation of funds for development and maintenance of stations  are  maintained  zonal  Railway-wise  and  not  work-wise  or Station-wise.  Passenger  amenities  are  generally  funded  under  Plan Head-53 'Customer Amenities'. The fund allocated to Central Railway for  development  and  maintenance  of  stations  under  Plan  Head-53 'Customer  Amenities',  for  the  current  year  (2022-23)  is ₹ 234.38 Crores.

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