Indian Railways plans to modernize 1,000 small but important stations under the new Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. This is separate from the plan to renew 200 major stations as part of a separate redevelopment programme.
Officials said the small stations would be identified not only by their footfall, but also by the cities they serve. “The aim is to identify developing cities with potential and to see train stations as city centers that connect not only different parts of the city, but also different cities. The plan is to map out everything related to it: bridges and different modes of transport.
“The idea is to modernize stations in a cost-effective way. As necessary, the divisional railway managers (DRMs) will invoke modernization works in phases," said an official.
A special fund will be reserved for this with the DRMs.
According to the scheme document, it aims to prepare train station master plans and implement them in phases to improve facilities, including and beyond the minimum essential amenities, and aim for the creation of rooftop plazas and town centers at stations.
The aim of the scheme is to introduce new facilities and to upgrade and replace existing facilities, the document said.