Through video conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the cornerstone for the renovation of 508 railway stations around the nation. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, there are 508 stations spread across 27 states and union territories, with 55 in each of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, 49 in Bihar, 44 in Maharashtra, 37 in West Bengal, 34 in Madhya Pradesh, 32 in Assam, 25 in Odisha, 22 in Punjab, 21 in each of Gujarat and Telangana, 20 in Jharkhand, and 18 in each of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
In addition, 13 stations are in Karnataka and 15 are in Haryana. The PMO had stated in a statement that the redevelopment, which will cost Rs 24,470 crore, will ensure well designed traffic circulation, inter-modal integration, and well designed signage for passenger guidance. It had also added that the design of station buildings will be inspired by local culture, heritage, and architecture.
The PMO had said that Modi has prioritized the necessity of offering top-notch facilities at train stations, noting that he has often emphasized the provision of state-of-the-art public transportation and that railroads are the preferred means of transportation for people.
The ‘Amrit Bharat Station Scheme’ was started to reconstruct 1,309 stations, it added, and it was inspired by this idea. The prime minister lay the cornerstone for the rehabilitation of 508 stations as part of this plan.
