Lok Sabha Question No. 779 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Redevelopment of Stations under ABBS in Kerala
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Abdul Majeed Ariff

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 779 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2024

## REDEVELOPMENT OF STATIONS UNDER ABSS IN KERALA

779. ADV. A.M. ARIFF :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has taken any steps for the development of railway stations under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) in the State of Kerala, if so, the details thereof including the names of such stations and the amount sanctioned;
- (b)  whether the Government has monitored the status of implementation of the development works undertaken under ABSS in Alappuzha and Kayamkulam railway stations in Kerala, if so, the details thereof including the proposed date of completion;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  prepared  the  list  of  stations  to  be developed under ABSS in the second phase in the State of Kerala, if so, the station-wise details thereof; and
- (d)  whether the Government is aware that several passenger amenities and development works completed in railway stations in Alappuzha Parliament constituency are yet to be inaugurated, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 779 BY ADV. A.M. ARIFF TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 07.02.2024 REGARDING REDEVELOPMENT OF STATIONS UNDER ABSS IN KERALA.

(a) to (d):  Ministry of Railways has launched 'Amrit Bharat Station scheme' for  development  of  Stations  on  Indian  Railways.  So  far,  1318  number  of stations  including  35  Railway  stations  in  the  state  of  Kerala  have  been identified  for  redevelopment  under  this  scheme.  A  List  of  those  stations from Kerala is Appended.

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 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 centres at the station in the long term.

The details of fund allocation for development and maintenance of stations are  maintained  zonal  Railway-wise  and  not  State-wise  or  station-wise. Development  of  stations and provision of Passenger  amenities  are generally funded under Plan Head-53 'Customer Amenities'. Since Southern Railway  caters  to  the  State  of  Kerala,  the  fund  allocated  to  Southern Railway for the current year 2023-24 (RE) is ₹ 562.72 crores.

…2/-

-2-

Modernisation/upgradation of Railway Station is a continuous and ongoing process. Works are taken up as per need, feasibility, category of stations etc.

Further,  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, airport clearance etc. The progress also gets affected due to brown field related  challenges  such  as  shifting  of  utilities,  (involving  water/sewage lines,  optical  fiber  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  high voltage power lines etc . and these factors affect the completion time . Therefore, no time frame can be indicated at this stage .

Various  activities  of  project  like  foundation  stone,  inauguration  etc.  are carried out at appropriate times as per the scale and development of the project, and no separate compendium for the same is maintained.

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APPENDIX  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 779 BY ADV. A.M. ARIFF TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 07.02.2024  REGARDING  REDEVELOPMENT  OF  STATIONS  UNDER  ABSS  IN KERALA.

(a)    to  (d):    List  of  Stations  Identified  for  development under  'Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in the State of Kerala.

|   SNo. | State   |   No. of stations | Name of Stations                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|--------|---------|-------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|      1 | Kerala  |                35 | Alappuzha , Angadippuram, Angamali For Kaladi , Chalakudi, Changanassery, Chengannur, Chirayinikil, Ernakulam, Ernakulam Town, Ettumanur, Ferok, Guruvayur , Kasargod, Kannur, Kayankulam, Kollam, Kozhikode, Kuttippuram, Mavelikara, Neyyatinkara, Nilambur Road, Ottappalam, Parappanangadi, Payyanur, Punalur, Shoranur Jn., Thalassery, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrisur, Tirur, Tiruvalla , Tripunithura, Vadakara, Varkala, Wadakancheri |

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