Lok Sabha Question No. 1664 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Smart Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shardaben Anilbhai Patel, Mitesh Rameshbhai (Bakabhai) Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1664 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2023

## SMART STATIONS

1664. SHRIMATI SHARDABEN ANILBHAI PATEL: SHRI MITESH RAMESHBHAI PATEL (BAKABHAI):

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government proposes to upgrade the existing railway stations throughout the country to provide airport like facilities, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the number of railway stations identified to be upgraded as smart stations in the country, particularly in the State of Gujarat;
- (c)  the details of funds sanctioned, allocated and utilized to upgrade all such stations during the last three years, State/UT-wise;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  set  up  any  target  for  the  said redevelopment works; and
- (e) if so, 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 SHARDABEN ANILBHAI PATEL AND SHRI MITESH RAMESHBHAI PATEL (BAKABHAI) TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 13.12.2023 REGARDING SMART

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1664 BY SHRIMATI STATIONS (a) to (e): 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.

The  scheme  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  WiFi,  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 centers at the station in the long term.

So far, 1309 number of stations including 87 stations in the State of  Gujarat  have  been  identified  for  development  under  this scheme as per list given below:-

| State   |   No. of Stations | Names of stations                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|---------|-------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Gujarat |                87 | Ahmedabad,Anand,Ankleshwar,Asarva,Bardoli, Bhachau, Bhaktinagar, Bhanvad, Bharuch, Bhatiya, Bhavnagar, Bhestan, Bhildi, BilimoraJn, BotadJn.,Chandlodia,ChorvadRoad,DabhoiJn, Dahod, Dakor, Derol, Dhrangadhra, Dwarka, Gandhidham, GodhraJn, Gondal, Hapa, Himmatnagar,JamJodhpur,JamWanthali, Jamnagar, JunagadhJn, KalolJn, KanalusJn, Karamsad, Keshod, Khambhaliya, Kim, KosambaJn, Lakhtar, Limbdi, Limkheda, MahemadabadKheda Road, MahesanaJn, Mahuva, Maninagar, Mithapur, MiyagamKarjanJn, Morbi, NadiadJn, Navsari, New Bhuj, Okha, Paddhari, PalanpurJn, Palitana, Patan, Porbandar, Pratapnagar, Rajkot Jn, RajulaJn, Sabarmati BG, Sabarmati MG, Sachin,Samakhiyali,Sanjan,Savarkundla,Sayan, Siddhpur, Sihor Jn., Somnath, Songadh, Surat, Surendranagar,Than,Udhna,Udvada,Umargaon Road, Unjha, Utran, Vadodara, Vapi, Vatva, Veraval, Viramgam, Vishvamitri Jn., Wankaner |

The  details  of  allocation  and  expenditure  for  development  and maintenance of stations are maintained Zonal Railway-wise and not State-wise/UT-wise or Station-wise. Development of stations and provision of Passenger amenities are generally funded under Plan  Head-53  'Customer  Amenities'.  During  the  year  2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 total Rs 6737.97 crore expenditure has been incurred  under  Plan  Head-53  and  the  allocation  for  the  current year is ₹13,355 crore.

Modernization/Development 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 fibre cables, gas pipe lines, power/signal cables  etc.,)  infringements,  operation  of  trains  without  hindering passenger movement, 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.

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