Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stones for 550 Amrit Bharat stations, including 21 in Odisha, and road overbridges (ROBs) and underbridges across states on February 26 via videoconferencing.
Three ROBs, including the one at Gopalpur Balikuda near Cuttack, will also be inaugurated.
The stations are Talcher, Raghunathpur, Paradip, Kendujhargarh, Jharsuguda Road, Sambalpur City, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Paralakhemundi, Koraput, Jeypore, Bimlagarh, Jaroli, Rairangpur, Panposh, Balasore, Betnoti, Bhadrak, Belpahar, Brajrajnagar and Rayagada. These will be upgraded at a cost of over Rs 1,500 crore in the second phase of the scheme. The master plan for individual stations has been prepared, according to East Cost Railway (ECoR) sources.
These are among the 57 railway stations in the state identified by the Indian Railways for a major makeover at a cost of around Rs 3,000 crore. Among them, 25 stations, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri, are already in different stages of development under the first phase of the scheme.
Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri are being redeveloped as world-class stations at a cost of over Rs 1,000 crore. Puri is among the four stations in the state that are being developed as heritage stations with all modern amenities by retaining their original characteristics.
According to ECoR, 409 ROBs and RUBs have already been constructed in Odisha and work for construction of 220 more is in progress.
THE SCHEME
The primary objectives of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme include improvement of station infrastructure, seamless integration of the station with urban areas on both sides, multimodal connectivity, and provisions for the accessibility of facilities for Divyangjans (specially-abled individuals).
The stations will undergo comprehensive makeover with spacious roof plaza with all passenger amenities at one place, waiting halls, lifts/escalators as necessary, free WiFi, along with spaces for retail, cafeterias and recreational facilities, kiosks for local products through schemes such as ‘One Station, One Product’, and better passenger information systems.
The scheme also involves building executive lounges, nominated spaces for business meetings and landscaping, keeping in view the necessity at each station. It envisages a gradual shift to sustainable and environment-friendly solutions, as per availability of funds and condition of existing assets.
