Lok Sabha Question No. 5358 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Upgradation of Sonipat Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ramesh Chander Kaushik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5358 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2023

## UPGRADATION OF SONIPAT RAILWAY STATION

†5358. SHRI RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the process of upgradation of Sonipat Railway Station in Haryana has started;
- (b) if so, the likely date of completion of the said work;
- (c)whether the number of platforms will be increased while renovating the said railway station;
- (d) if so, the number of new platforms likely to be constructed; and
- (e)  the  amount  likely  to  be  spent  on  the  said  project  along  with  the details thereof?

## 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 UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5358 BYSHRI RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 05.04.2023 REGARDING UPGRADATION OF SONIPAT RAILWAY STATION

(a)  to  (e):  The  Amrit  Bharat  Station  Scheme  has  recently  been launched for development of Railway stations on Indian Railways.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 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.

So far, 1275 railway stations have been identified for development under this scheme including sonipat railway station in the State of Haryana.

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 requirement of additional/increase in platforms as well as extension  of  platforms  depends  on  growth  in  volume  of  traffic  and other various relevant factors including technical feasibility, which is a continuous process.

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'. Sonipat railway station in Haryana falls under  Northern  Railway  Zone  and  the  fund  allocation  to  Northern Railway  for  development  and  maintenance  of  stations  under  Plan Head-53 'Customer Amenities', for the year (2022-23) is ₹ 235.37 Cr.

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