Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone for the re-development of 508 railway stations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone for the re-development of 508 railway stations

Governor Biswabhushan Harichandan participated in the foundation stone laying program

Railways development has an immediate and direct impact on the country’s development: Governor Shri Harichandan

Raipur, 06 August 2023/ Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 508 railway stations across the country through video conferencing under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme. It includes seven railway stations in Chhattisgarh: Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Tilda-Newra, Akaltara, Bhilai Power House, and Mahasamund. Governor Shri Biswabhushan Harichandan participated in the ceremony.

Notably, a total of 32 railway stations in Chhattisgarh are included in this scheme. The cost of re-developing these stations is Rs 1660 crore. Governor Shri Harichandan also inspected the model prepared for the Raipur Railway Station development. The program was organized at Raipur railway station.

Addressing the program, Governor Harichandan said, I am happy to be present at this ceremony of laying the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 508 railway stations by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The development of passenger amenities was a long-standing demand of the country, which has now been fulfilled. Railways are the country’s lifeline. Its development has a direct impact on the country’s development as they serve as a catalyst for economic development, which is universally recognised. He further added that the Ministry of Railways is making all efforts for rapid development of the rail network across the country and improvement in Railway services. The current effort to re-develop 1307 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme across the country will prove to be a major milestone towards better amenities and passenger experience for the railways.

Governor Mr Harichandan said I am delighted that 32 railway stations of Chhattisgarh are included in this ambitious Amrit Bharat station scheme. Rs 1660 crore will be invested in the redevelopment of these 32 stations. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone for 7 stations in Chhattisgarh including Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Tilda-Newra, Akaltara, Bhilai Power House and Mahasamund. Important stations coming under Bilaspur, Durg and Raipur will get a major upgrade for Rs 500 crore each.

It is worth mentioning that modern facilities like a wide concourse, foot-over bridge, lift, escalator, waiting room, commercial area and retail counter will be provided at these stations to be redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The plan envisages multimodal transport facilities. Passenger amenities at other minor stations will also be upgraded and provided with facilities like wide FOBs, frontage improvements, waiting areas, lifts, escalators etc.

Governor Shri Harichandan said that it is gratifying to know that Indian Railways is striving to raise their service levels in terms of quantity and quality. I thank Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on behalf of Chhattisgarh’s people for selecting our state’s stations in the redevelopment plan. It will certainly fulfil the aspirations of Chhattisgarh’s people as well as open new avenues of development through transit-oriented facilities.

Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha MP from Raipur, Mr Sunil Soni said that the redevelopment of railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is a big gift for the people of the state and the country. He praised the idea of developing railway stations like airports. He said that on the lines of the airport, Raipur railway station would be developed as a model station. Children and elderly people visit to see the airport. Similarly, they will also visit the railway station. The development of railway stations will give rise to high economic activities. During the program, Governor Mr. Harichandan distributed prizes and certificates to the winners of the competitions organized in Raipur schools under Amrit Bharat Mahotsav. MLA Brijmohan Agrawal, GM of South-East Central Railway, Mr A. Alok Kumar students and citizens were present on the occasion.