NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate 103
redeveloped railway stations across 86 districts in 18 states and Union Territories
on Thursday, as part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, aiming towards
boosting further modernisation of the Indian Railways.
The scheme aims to transform more than 1,300 railway
stations nationwide into modern transport hubs with upgraded passenger
amenities and regional architectural integration.
The 103 stations, redeveloped at a cost of around Rs
1,100 crore, are located in 86 districts and include major and minor stations
across Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal
Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Puducherry,
Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
PM Modi will travel to Rajasthan's Bikaner on Thursday to
lay the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth more than Rs
26,000 crore.
As part of his visit, the Prime Minister will first offer
prayers at the sacred Karni Mata Temple in Deshnoke, followed by a visit to the
newly re-developed Deshnoke railway station. This station is one of the 103
stations revamped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
During the event, PM Modi will also flag off the new
Bikaner-Mumbai Express train. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma will
accompany him throughout the visit.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, railway stations
across the country are being upgraded to offer enhanced passenger facilities,
accessibility for Divyangjan (persons with disabilities), and culturally rich
designs.
In Tamil Nadu stations such as Chidambaram, Kulitturai,
Mannargudi, Polur, Samalpatti, Srirangam, St Thomas Mount, Tiruvannamalai,
Vriddhachalam Junction are also part of the Amrit Bharat Station scheme which
will be inaugurated by the PM.
Amrit Stations being inaugurated in Gujarat are: Dakor,
Derol, Hapa, Jamwanthali, Jamjodhpur, Kanalus Junction, Karamsad, Kosamba
Junction, Limbdi, Mahuva, Mithapur, Morbi, Okha, Palitana, Rajula Junction,
Samakhiyali, Sihor Junction, Utran Katni South, Narmadapuram, Orchha, Seoni,
Shajapur, Shri Dham stations in Madhya Pradesh will also be inaugurated.
The PM will also flag off the Bikaner-Mumbai express
train on Thursday.
Notably, Indian Railways is marching towards 100 per cent
electrification of its network, making railway operations more efficient and
environment-friendly.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, railway stations
across the country are being upgraded to offer enhanced passenger facilities,
accessibility for Divyangjan (persons with disabilities), and culturally rich
designs.
A total of 103 stations, modernised at a cost of Rs 1,100
crore, will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister. These include eight stations
in Rajasthan -- Fatehpur Shekhawati, Deshnok, Bundi, Mandalgarh, Gogamedi,
Rajgarh, Govindgarh, and Mandawar-Mahua Road.
The Deshnoke station, in particular, has been designed to
reflect local architectural traditions, including temple-style arches and
decorative pillars.
As part of this vision, the Prime Minister will lay the
foundation for the 58 km Churu–Sadulpur rail line and dedicate the
electrification of key railway sections, including Suratgarh–Phalodi (336 km),
Phulera–Degana (109 km), Udaipur–Himmatnagar (210 km), Phalodi–Jaisalmer (157
km), and Samdari–Barmer (129 km).
In terms of road infrastructure, the Prime Minister will
launch projects aimed at both enhancing civilian connectivity and strengthening
national security.
This includes laying the foundation for three vehicular
underpasses on NH-58 in Pushkar, as well as the widening of NH-11 and NH-70.
Additionally, he will dedicate seven major national
highway projects worth Rs 4,850 crore, which are expected to improve military
mobility and boost the regional economy.
The Prime Minister's visit will also emphasise India's
commitment to clean energy. He will lay the foundation stone for several solar
power initiatives, including a 300 MW ground-mounted solar project by NEEPCO in
Bikaner and a 100 MW project by SJVN in Nawa.
Solar projects in Didwana and Kuchaman will also be
initiated. Transmission systems under Powergrid's Sirohi and Mewar divisions
are set to be launched to enhance grid connectivity.
Furthermore, he will inaugurate three key power
infrastructure projects -- Power Grid Neemuch Transmission System, a power
evacuation project in Bikaner, and capacity expansion of the Fatehgarh-II Power
Station.
Among other projects, the 500 MW Kalasar and 300 MW
Shimbhu Ka Bhurj solar power plants will play a pivotal role in strengthening
India's renewable energy framework, supported by indigenous solar PV modules
under the "Make in India" mission.
Strengthening regional connectivity further, the Prime
Minister will launch the upgradation and maintenance of 12 state highways
covering 757 km under the Rajasthan State Highway Development Programme, with a
total investment of Rs 3,240 crore.
Prominent routes include Mangaliyawas–Padukalan (State
Highway-102), Beawar–Tehla–Alniyawas (SH-59 & SH-104), and Dantiwada–Pipar–Merta
City (SH-21).
Plans are in place for the future upgradation of another
900 km of roadways, including the Gotan–Sathin Highway, linking industrial and
border areas more efficiently.
To bolster the state's healthcare infrastructure, the
Prime Minister will also inaugurate four new nursing colleges in Rajsamand,
Pratapgarh, Bhilwara, and Dholpur.
These institutions will help strengthen the healthcare
workforce and improve access to quality medical education across Rajasthan.
In addition, two electrical substations -- 132 kV GSS
Rajpura in Bikaner and 132 kV GSS Sarda in Udaipur -- will be inaugurated to
improve power distribution in the region.
These upgrades are a vital part of ensuring a stable and
reliable energy supply across Rajasthan.
