The Indian Railways has embarked on an ambitious initiative to enhance the infrastructure and amenities of railway stations in Odisha. This transformative endeavor, known as the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, aims to elevate 57 selected railway stations to modern standards of convenience and efficiency. The scheme encompasses a comprehensive enhancement plan that encompasses not only the stations themselves but also the development of approach roads for seamless accessibility.
The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has been at the forefront of implementing this visionary scheme. Several major railway stations have already commenced their transformational journey under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The core philosophy of the initiative rests on the principles of continuous, long-term improvement. This involves the meticulous crafting of master plans and their phased execution to elevate station amenities comprehensively.
The multifaceted development strategy encompasses an array of improvements designed to elevate the passenger experience. These include the enhancement of station access, the expansion of circulating areas, the upgrading of waiting halls, the establishment of modern restroom facilities, and the installation of convenient lift and escalator systems as needed. The scheme also prioritizes cleanliness, the provision of free Wi-Fi connectivity, and the creation of kiosks to showcase local products, following schemes such as ‘One Station One Product’. Additionally, the initiative envisions advanced passenger information systems, executive lounges, dedicated spaces for business meetings, and aesthetic landscaping, all tailored to the unique requirements of each station.
Among the railway stations earmarked for transformation under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme are prominent names such as Angul, Badampahar, Balangir, Balasore, Balugaon, Barbil, Bargarh Road, Baripada, Barpali, Belpahar, Betnoti, Bhadrak, Bhawanipatna, Bhubaneswar, Bimlagarh, Brahmapur, Brajrajnagar, Chatrapur, Cuttack, Damanjodi, Dhenkanal, Gunupur, Harishanker Road, Hirakud, Jajpur-Keonjhar Road, Jaleswar, Jaroli, Jeypore, Jharsuguda, Jharsuguda Road, Kantabanji, Kendujhargarh, Kesinga, Khariar Road, Khurda Road, Koraput, Lingaraj Temple Road, Mancheswar, Meramandali, Muniguda, New Bhubaneswar, Panposh, Paradeep, Parlakhemundi, Puri, Raghunathpur, Rairakhol, Rairangpur, Rajgangpur, Rayagada, Rourkela, Sakhi Gopal, Sambalpur, Sambalpur City, Talcher, Talcher Road, and Titlagarh Jn.
The initial phase of the scheme has already been set into motion, with development activities underway at select major stations. Notably, a total of 25 railway stations under the purview of ECoR have been carefully chosen for comprehensive redevelopment as part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. These stations include Sakhigopal, Mancheswar, Dhenkanal, Chhatrapur, Angul, Palasa, Meramandali, Balugaon, Lingaraj Temple Road, Talcher Road, Khurda Road, Kantabanji, Bargarh Road, Hirakud, Rairakhol, Barpali, Muniguda, Balangir, Harisankar Road, Mahasamund, Bhawanipatna, Khariar Road, Vizianagaram, Duvvada, and Damanjodi railway stations.
The culmination of this transformative effort will witness a momentous event as Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 500 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. This significant event will be conducted via video conferencing, connecting the Prime Minister from New Delhi to the stations across the nation.
In pursuit of these visionary goals, a substantial investment of Rs 547.7 crore has been allocated for the comprehensive redevelopment of the 25 stations falling within the jurisdiction of ECoR. This financial commitment underscores the government’s dedication to providing modern and efficient infrastructure for the benefit of railway passengers and the advancement of the nation’s transportation network.
Prasanta Patnaik