TEXT: B. GUGANESAN, CHIEF PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
A major revamp is being carried out at the stations of Southern Railway. This falls in line with the ongoing initiative of Indian Railways to consistently improve its stations, envisioning long-term progress. Southern Railway has pinpointed 90 of its stations to be enhanced under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme(ABSS). The primary objective of this scheme is to create comprehensive Master Plans for these stations. The implementation of these Master Plans will then aim at significant upgradation of the facilities at these train stations.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, the Southern Railway division plans to renovate a total of 90 railway stations. Each of its six divisions is tasked with the overhaul of 15 stations. In the fiscal year 2022- 23, consultancy contracts worth Rs 13.88 crores were awarded to facilitate this renovation.
The tasks under these contracts comprise creating a comprehensive blueprint that plans the station’s advance on a long-term basis, in a planned manner, incorporating a forward-looking vision. These master plans, prepared by the appointed consultant, have been authorized by the railway administration for all the stations involved in the revamping project.
Following the blueprint, tasks to be accomplished under Phase-I of the scheme were identified. Contractors have been awarded work for 35 stations based on these plans, even as the process of finalizing tenders for the remaining stations is about to conclude.
Generous funding of Rs 934 crores has been allocated to this ambitious renovation project in the fiscal year 2023-24 This massive overhaul work under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is part of an effort to modernize railway infrastructure and enhance the overall railway travel experience, and is progressing at a brisk pace
SANCTIONED WORKS UNDER THE AMRIT BHARAT STATION SCHEME IN SOUTHERN RAILWAY
DIVISION NO OF WORKS SANCTIONED COST
(IN CRORES)
CHENNAI 44 251.91
SALEM 22 150.47
PALAKKAD 26 195.54
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 15 108.00
TIRUCHCHIRAPPALLI 22 123.47
MADURAI 19 104.56
TOTAL 148 934.00
Key Features
The Amrit Bharat Station initiative is designed to roll out new amenities for passengers, enhance and upgrade the current ones. As part of the Phase-I advancement, under the Amrit Bharat Scheme, specific enhancements are being planned for the selected 90 Southern Railway stations for example
Foot Over Bridges (12 m wide FOBs are planned at 13 Nos. of stations
Escalators and Lifts (2 Nos. of Escalators & 48 Nos. of lifts sanctioned at various stations across SR)
Improvements to circulating area
Two/four wheeler parking
Landscaping / Horticulture
Integrated Passenger Information System
Signages
Improvements to Platforms & Platform shelters
SS benches, Taps & Wash basins
Better illumination & Power supply arrangements
CCTV
Measures taken for fast tracking the work
Guidelines have been issued to Gati Shakti units regarding drawings, detailing and timelines for completion of each work
The progress of ABSS work will be monitored by DRMs and reviewed by GM regularly
