Redevelopment of 1,337 Railway Stations Progressing Rapidly Under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

Ministry of Railways has launched Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for redevelopment of stations with a long-term approach.

Scheme Overview
- Launched by: Ministry of Railways, Government of India.
- Objective: Long-term redevelopment of railway stations across India to modernize infrastructure, improve passenger amenities, and integrate multimodal transport.
- Scope: Preparation of master plans and phased implementation for 1,337 stations identified nationwide.

Key Features of Redevelopment
- Improved access and circulation areas.
- Integration of stations with both sides of the city.
- Modernized station buildings, waiting halls, toilets, seating, and water booths.
- Wider foot overbridges, air concourses, lifts, escalators, and ramps.
- Enhanced platform surfaces and covers.
- Kiosks for local products under the “One Station One Product” scheme.
- Parking areas, landscaping, executive lounges, and business meeting spaces.
- Sustainable solutions like ballastless tracks and eco-friendly designs.
- Better passenger information systems and amenities for Divyangjans (persons with disabilities).

Progress Update (as of December 2025)
- Stations identified: 1,337.
- Stations completed: 155 (with redevelopment works at many others ongoing).
- Funding: ₹12,118 crore allocated for FY 2025–26 under Plan Head–53 ‘Customer Amenities’.
- Expenditure so far: ₹7,253 crore (up to October 2025).
- PPP Mode: 15 stations identified for development under Public-Private Partnership to test alternative funding models.

Challenges
- Redevelopment is complex due to:
- Heavy passenger traffic (work must continue without halting train operations).
- Statutory clearances (fire, heritage, tree cutting, airport).
- Brownfield issues (shifting utilities like water lines, optical fiber cables, power lines).
- Safety concerns with ongoing train operations near construction zones.

Significance
This is described as the world’s largest station reconstruction program, aiming to transform Indian Railways into modern, safe, and globally competitive infrastructure while preserving heritage elements.