Amritsar railway station to get ₹402 crore world-class makeover
Synopsis
Amritsar station is getting a ₹402 crore transformation — five new platforms, a 10-storey commercial building, and a Vande Bharat maintenance shed — as Punjab's railway budget soars to ₹5,673 crore, nearly 25 times the 2009-14 average. The same day, the Amrit Bharat Express was flagged off to New Jalpaiguri, linking Punjab with eastern India at affordable fares.
Key Takeaways
Amritsar railway station will be redeveloped at an estimated cost of ₹402 crore , announced on 14 May 2025 .
An additional ₹100 crore has been sanctioned for five new platforms — two on the north, three on the south.
A G+10 station building with seven commercial floors is planned on the northern side; a G+3 building on the southern side.
A new Vande Bharat maintenance shed will be developed at Amritsar to support modern rail operations.
Punjab's railway budget for 2026-27 stands at ₹5,673 crore , nearly 25 times the annual average of 2009-14 .
The Amrit Bharat Express between Amritsar and New Jalpaiguri was flagged off on the same day, covering cities including Ludhiana, Gorakhpur, and Siliguri.
The Amritsar railway station is set for a comprehensive overhaul under a ₹402 crore redevelopment plan, Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu announced on Thursday, 14 May. The project will transform the century-old station into a modern, passenger-friendly transport hub that blends contemporary infrastructure with Punjab's cultural and spiritual identity.
What the Redevelopment Covers
The master plan includes the addition of five new platforms — two on the northern side and three on the southern side — backed by a separately sanctioned ₹100 crore for their reconstruction and augmentation. Five additional passenger loop lines will also be added to improve train-handling capacity and ease congestion.
On the architectural front, a G+10 station building with seven commercial floors is proposed on the northern side, while a G+3 building will come up on the southern side. Both structures are designed to serve as landmarks, housing enhanced passenger amenities and modern commercial spaces aimed at spurring local economic activity.
Passenger Amenities and Accessibility
Two new subways will connect the northern and southern ends of the station, ensuring smooth cross-platform movement. Modern lifts and escalators will be installed to improve accessibility for senior citizens, divyangjan, women, and children. External upgrades will include expanded parking, improved traffic circulation, and covered drop-off zones linked directly to the station buildings.
A new Vande Bharat maintenance shed is also planned at Amritsar to support modern rail operations and strengthen the state's overall railway infrastructure.
Amrit Bharat Express Flagged Off
The announcement came on the same day Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu flagged off the Amrit Bharat Express between Amritsar and New Jalpaiguri — a non-AC long-distance service designed to offer affordable travel for migrant workers, students, pilgrims, and families. The train connects key cities including Ludhiana, Ambala, Gorakhpur, Raxaul, Sitamarhi, Forbesganj, and Siliguri, strengthening rail links between northern and eastern India.
Punjab's Broader Railway Push
Punjab's railway budget allocation has risen to ₹5,673 crore in 2026-27, nearly 25 times the annual average during 2009-14, according to the minister. Projects worth over ₹26,000 crore are currently under execution across the state. Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 30 stations in Punjab are being upgraded, including Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Mohali, Anandpur Sahib, and Muktsar. The Chandigarh railway station is also being redeveloped at a cost of ₹462 crore by the Rail Land Development Authority.
With shovels set to hit the ground, the Amritsar redevelopment will be a key test of whether the Centre's ambitious station modernisation programme can deliver on both infrastructure and passenger experience.
Point of View
But the real story is the pace of railway spending in Punjab — a 25-fold budget jump in a decade is a political as much as an infrastructural statement in a border state that has historically felt underserved by the Centre. The simultaneous flagging off of the Amrit Bharat Express suggests a deliberate optics strategy: announce the long-term project and deliver a near-term win on the same day. The harder question is execution — India's station redevelopment programme has a mixed track record on deadlines, and with 30 Punjab stations in the pipeline alongside Amritsar, resource and contractor bandwidth will be tested. Whether the commercial floors in the new G+10 building attract viable tenants — or become underutilised like similar concourse retail at other redeveloped stations — will determine whether the project delivers on its economic promises.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Amritsar railway station redevelopment project?
It is a ₹402 crore plan to transform Amritsar railway station into a world-class transport hub, announced on 14 May 2025. The project includes five new platforms, a G+10 commercial building on the northern side, a G+3 building on the southern side, two new subways, and a Vande Bharat maintenance shed.
How many new platforms will Amritsar station get?
Five new platforms will be added — two on the northern side and three on the southern side — along with five additional passenger loop lines. A separate ₹100 crore has been sanctioned specifically for this platform reconstruction and augmentation work.
What is the Amrit Bharat Express flagged off from Amritsar?
The Amrit Bharat Express is a modern non-AC long-distance train connecting Amritsar with New Jalpaiguri, designed to offer affordable travel for migrant workers, students, pilgrims, and families. It passes through Ludhiana, Ambala, Gorakhpur, Raxaul, Sitamarhi, Forbesganj, and Siliguri.
How much has Punjab's railway budget increased?
Punjab's railway budget allocation has risen to ₹5,673 crore in 2026-27, which is nearly 25 times the annual average allocation during 2009-14, according to Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu. Projects worth over ₹26,000 crore are currently under execution in the state.
Which other Punjab stations are being redeveloped?
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 30 railway stations across Punjab are being upgraded. Major stations undergoing modernisation include Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Mohali, Anandpur Sahib, and Muktsar. The Chandigarh railway station is also being redeveloped at ₹462 crore by the Rail Land Development Authority.
