New Delhi, Dec 5 (NationPress) The government has allocated Rs 7,253 crore until October from a total budget of Rs 12,118 crore for the year 2025–26, aimed at enhancing the infrastructure of railway stations nationwide under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, as reported by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in Parliament on Friday.

In response to a query in the Rajya Sabha, the minister highlighted that development is underway at a rapid pace for notable stations including Tirupati, Yesvantpur, Rameswaram, and Safdarjung station in Delhi.

Since the inception of the scheme, 1,337 stations have been earmarked for redevelopment, with 155 stations already completed.

Vaishnaw mentioned that projects under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme are primarily financed through budgetary allocations. Additionally, 15 stations have been selected for potential development using the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, with plans for further expansion based on the insights gained.

The minister clarified that while ownership and operational responsibilities will remain with Indian Railways, certain key stations may delegate specific functions to external entities for designated durations, tailored to the station's needs and demands. Contract terms will be established individually.

The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is designed with a long-term vision, involving the development of master plans that will be executed in stages to enhance station facilities. This planning encompasses improving access routes, connecting the station with both sides of the city, enhancing station infrastructure, and upgrading amenities such as waiting areas, toilets, seating arrangements, and water booths.

Redevelopment initiatives also involve creating wider foot over bridges or air concourses in line with passenger traffic, installing lifts, escalators, and ramps, enhancing platform surfaces and shelters, and setting up kiosks for local products through the 'One Station One Product' initiative.

Moreover, the plans include constructing parking facilities, ensuring multimodal integration, providing amenities for Divyangjans, improving passenger information systems, establishing executive lounges, designated meeting spaces, and landscaping, tailored to the specific needs of each station, as per Vaishnaw's statements.

The scheme additionally promotes sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions, incorporating ballastless tracks as necessary, while envisioning the creation of a long-term city center at the station, the minister concluded.