Lok Sabha Question No. 3869 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for the Stations of North-East Regions
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Tapir Gao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3869

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2024

## AMRIT BHARAT STATION SCHEME FOR THE STATIONS OF NORTHEAST REGIONS

3869 SHRI TAPIR GAO:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the salient features of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme;
- (b) whether the Government has started Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for redevelopment of stations in North-East, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if so, the number of stations included under the said scheme;
- (d) the manner these stations will facilitate better passenger experience in Railways;
- (e) the details on budgetary allocation made for the redevelopment of stations in the said region; and
- (f)  whether  the  said  scheme  will  enable  better  connectivity  to  North East and enhance tourism in the region and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (f)  Ministry  of  Railways  has  launched  'Amrit  Bharat  Station Scheme' 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, platform surfacing and cover over platform, 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,  etc.  as  per  necessity,  phasing  and feasibility  and  creation  of  city  centre  at  the  station  in  the  long term.Development  /  upgradation  of  railway  stations  has  a  positive impact on tourism in the region.

So far, 1337 stations have been identified under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, out of which 60 stations are located in the North-East Region. The names of stations identified for development under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in the North-East Region are as following:

## Names of Amrit Stations identified in North-East Region

Agartala,  Amguri,  Arunachal,  Chaparmukh,  Dharmanagar,  Dhemaji,  Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Diphu, Duliajan,  Fakiragram Jn, Gauripur, Gohpur, Golaghat,  Gosai  Gaon  Halt,  Guwahati,  Haibargaon,  Harmuti,  Hojai,  Imphal, Jagiroad,  Jorhat  Town,  Kamakhya,  Kokrajhar,  Kumarghat,  Lanka,  Ledo, Lumding, Majbat, Makum Jn, Margherita, Mariani, Mehendipathar, Murkeongselek, Naharalagun (Itanagar), Naharkatiya, Nalbari, Namrup, Narangi,  New  Bongaigaon,  New  Haflong,  New  Karimganj,  New  Tinsukia, North  Lakhimpur,  Pathsala,  Rangapara  North,  Rangiya  Jn,  Rangpo,  Sairang

(Aizawl), Sarupathar, Sibsagar Town, Silapathar, Silchar, Simaluguri, Tangla, Tinsukia, Udaipur, Udalguri, Viswanath Chariali

Out of 60 Amrit stations located in the North-East Region, tenders for development works have been awarded for 55 stations and works have been taken up. The  projects have exhibited good pace of  execution.

For example,

- At  Imphal  station,  structural  work  of  main  station  building  has been completed and works of construction of boundary wall, offices, platform retaining walls, circulating area, etc. have been taken up.
- At  Dharmanagar  station,  works  of  additional  platform  shelters, improvement  of  platform  surfacing,  construction  of  boundary  wall, widening of entry road and booking counters have been completed and works of construction of 12 m wide Foot Over Bridge, improvement of circulating area, etc. have been taken up.
- At Haibargaon station, structural works of new service building, parking  and  entry-exit  gate  have  been  completed  and  works  of improvement of existing station building, platform shelters, circulating area, approach road, pay & use toilet, construction of porch, etc. have been taken up.
- At  Gauripur  station,  structural  works  of  station  building  and waiting  room  have  been  completed  and  works  of  improvement  of circulating area, Foot Over Bridge, etc. have been taken up.
- At Hojai station,  works  of  improvement  of  existing  station building, platform shelters, parking area, approach road, construction of  new  service  building,  pay  &  use  toilets,  porch,  entry-exit  gate, boundary wall, etc. have been taken up.
- At Lanka station, works of construction of new service building, pay  &  use  toilets,  entrance  porch,  entry-exit  gate,  Foot  Over  Bridge, boundary  wall,  improvement  of  existing  station  building,  platform shelters, parking area, approach road, etc. have been taken up.
- At Fakiragram station, works of improvement of platform shelters,  approach  road  and  structural  work  of  new  station  building have  been  completed  and  works  of  construction  of  new  Foot  Over Bridge, improvement of circulating area, etc. have been taken up.

Development/redevelopment/upgradation of Railway Stations is complex in nature involving safety of passengers & trains and requires various  statutory  clearances  such  as  fire  clearance,  heritage,  tree cutting, air-port clearance etc. The progress also gets affected due to brownfield  related  challenges  such  as  shifting  of  utilities  (involving water/sewage lines, optical fibre  cables,  gas  pipe  lines,  power/signal cables,  etc.),  infringements,  operation  of  trains  without  hindering passenger movement, speed restrictions due to works carried out in close proximity of tracks and high voltage power lines, etc. and these factors  affect  the  completion  time.  Therefore,  no  time  frame  can  be indicated at this stage.

Further, development/upgradation of stations and amenities for passengers  is  a  continuous  and  ongoing  process  and  works  in  this regard are undertaken as per requirement, subject to inter-se priority and  availability  of  funds.  The  priority  for  provision/upgradation  of amenities  is accorded  to  higher  category  of  station  over  lower category of station while sanctioning and executing the works.

Development  /  upgradation  of  stations  including  under  Amrit  Bharat Station  Scheme  is  generally  funded  under  Plan  Head-53  'Customer Amenities'. The details of allocation under Plan Head-53 are maintained  Zonal  Railway-wise  and  not  work-wise  or  station-wise  or State-wise/Region-wise. The North-East Region is covered by Northeast Frontier Railway. The allocation for the financial year 202425 for this zone is Rs 530 Crores.

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