Lok Sabha Question No. 2238 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Redevelopment Plan for Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Adoor Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2238 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR VARKALA SIVAGIRI RAILWAY STATION

2238.  SHRI ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH  :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  redevelopment  plan  of  Varkala  Sivagiri  Railway station;
- (b)  the  details  of  approved  project  along  with  total  cost,  works proposed and funds released; and
- (c) whether the Railways has set any timeline for completion of the above works, if so, the details thereof?

## 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.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  2238  BY  SHRI  ADV.  ADOOR  PRAKASH TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  02.08.2023  REGARDING REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR VARKALA SIVAGIRI RAILWAY STATION

(a) to (c):  Ministry of Railways has launched 'Amrit Bharat Station scheme'  for  development  of  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 such station.

The scheme also envisages improvement of buildings, 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.

Redevelopment  of  Varkala  Sivagiri  Railway  Station  has  been identified  under  Amrit  Bharat  Station  Scheme  for  a  total  cost  of ₹ 133.19  Crores.  The  redevelopment  includes  main  railway  station building,  spacious  Roof  Plaza,  two  foot  over  bridges,  escalators, lifts, adequate parking space, improved circulation and state of the art modern facilities for passengers etc.

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 amenties are generally funded Plan  Head-53  'Customer  Amenities'.  Since  Varkala  Railway  station comes under Southern Railway, the allocation of funds to Southern Railway for the current year (2023-24) under Plan Head  -53 'Customer Amenities' is ₹ 1242.58 Crores.

Redevelopment  of  Railway  Stations  at  this  scale  is  complex  in nature  and  requires  detailed  techno-economic  feasibility  studies and involves multiple stakeholders' consultations including various statutory clearances from urban/local bodies etc. and these factors affect the completion time. Therefore, no time-frame can be indicated at this stage.

*****