Lok Sabha Question No. 1561 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Kartick Chandra Paul

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1561

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2024

## AMRIT BHARAT STATION SCHEME

1561.  SHRI KARTICK CHANDRA PAUL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has started Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for redevelopment of stations in West Bengal, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  number  of  stations  in  Uttar  Dinajpur  District  of  West  Bengal included under the scheme;
- (c) whether Raiganj Railway Station is proposed to be included under the scheme;
- (d) the details these stations in facilitating better passenger experience in Indian Railways; and
- (e) the details of budgetary allocation made for the redevelopment of stations in West Bengal?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING 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. 1561 BY SHRI KARTICK CHANDRA PAUL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.12.2024 REGARDING AMRIT BHARAT STATION SCHEME

(a)  to  (e)  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.

So  far,  1337  stations  have  been  selected  under  this  scheme  out  of which 101 stations are located in the state of West Bengal, including three  stations  of  Uttar  Dinajpur  District  viz.  Aluabari  Road,  Dalkhola and  Kaliyaganj.  The  names  of  stations  identified  for  development under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in the state of West Bengal are as following:

| State       |   No. of Stations | Name of Stations                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|-------------|-------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| West Bengal |               101 | Adra, Alipurduar Jn., Aluabari Road, Ambika Kalna, Anara, Andal Jn., Andul, Asansol Jn., Azimganj, Bagnan, Bally, Balurghat, Bandel Jn., Bangaon Jn., Bankura , Barabhum, Barasat, Barddhaman, Barrackpore, Belda, Berhampore court, Bethuadahari, Bhaluka Road, Binnaguri, Bishnupur, Bolpur Shantiniketan, Burnpur, Canning, Chandan nagar, Chandpara, Chandrakona Road, Dalgaon, Dalkhola, Dankuni, Dhulian Ganga, Dhupguri, Digha, Dinhata, Dum Dum Jn., Falakata, Garbeta, Gede, Haldia, Haldibari, Harishchandrapur, Hasimara, Hijli, Howrah, Jalpaiguri, Jalpaiguri Road, Jangipur Road, Jhalida, Jhargram, JoychandiPahar, Kaliyaganj, Kalyani Ghoshpara, Kalyani Jn, Kamakhyaguri, Katwa Jn., Khagraghat Road, Kharagpur, Kolkata, Krishnanagar City Jn, Kumedpur, Madhukunda, Madhyamgram, Malda Court, Malda Town, Mecheda, Midnapore, Nabadwip Dham, Naihati Jn., New Alipurduar, |

| State   | No. of Stations   | Name of Stations                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|---------|-------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         |                   | New Cooch Behar, New Farakka, New Jalpaiguri, New Mal Jn., Ondagram, Panagarh, Pandabeswar, Panskura, Purulia Jn., Rampurhat, Ranaghat, Sainthia Jn, Salboni, Samsi, Santragachi, Sealdah, Shalimar, Shantipur, Sheoraphuli Jn., Siliguri, Sitarampur, Siuri, Sonarpur Jn., Suisa, Tamluk, Tarakeswar, Tulin, Uluberia |

The details of allocation of funds for development and maintenance of stations are maintained  Zonal Railway-wise under Plan  Head-53 'Customer Amenities' and not work-wise or Station-wise or State wise. The  state  of  West  Bengal  is  covered  by  four  zones  viz.  Eastern Railway, Northeast Frontier Railway, South Eastern Railway and Metro Railway. The allocation for the financial year 2024-25 for these zones is Rs 1410 Crores.

Further, upgradation/development/redevelopment of stations on Indian Railways  is  a  continuous  and  on-going  process  and  works  in  this regard are undertaken as per requirement, subject to inter-se priority and availability of funds. However, priority for upgradation/development/  redevelopment  of  stations  is  accorded  to higher  category  of  station  over  lower  category  of  station  while sanctioning and executing the works.

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