PM Modi dedicates 75 Amrit Stations nationwide, 8 in Rajasthan get rail upgrade
Synopsis
In a single ceremony from Jalandhar, PM Modi handed over 75 upgraded Amrit Stations to the nation — 8 of them in Rajasthan, a state whose railway budget has grown nearly 15-fold since 2014. With ₹76,800 crore in rail projects underway and a dedicated freight corridor cutting through the state, Rajasthan is at the centre of India's most ambitious rail overhaul in decades.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi dedicated 75 redeveloped Amrit Stations across 20 states on 17 July from Jalandhar, Punjab .
Eight Rajasthan stations — Gotan, Deeg, Somesar, Dausa, Khairthal, Barmer, Jaisalmer, and Gangapur City — are among those redeveloped.
Rajasthan's railway budget has risen from ₹682 crore (2009–14) to a record ₹10,228 crore (2026–27) .
Rail projects worth over ₹76,800 crore are currently under implementation in Rajasthan.
85 stations in Rajasthan are being redeveloped at an estimated cost of ₹4,623 crore .
Approximately ₹14,700 crore is being invested in the 567-km Western Dedicated Freight Corridor section through Rajasthan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 17 July dedicated 75 redeveloped Amrit Stations to the nation from Jalandhar, Punjab, covering 20 states in a single ceremony. Among them, eight stations in Rajasthan — Gotan, Deeg, Somesar, Dausa, Khairthal, Barmer, Jaisalmer, and Gangapur City — received the upgrade, marking a significant step in the state's rail modernisation drive.
Rajasthan's Rail Milestone
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma joined the national programme via video conference from Gotan Railway Station in Nagaur, where he addressed the gathering and congratulated residents of the state. He said the redeveloped stations would strengthen railway infrastructure, enhance passenger amenities, and give fresh impetus to the vision of a Developed Rajasthan.
Sharma noted that Rajasthan's annual railway budget has surged from ₹682 crore during 2009–14 to a record ₹10,228 crore for 2026–27 — a nearly 15-fold increase. Railway projects worth more than ₹76,800 crore are currently under implementation across the state.
What the Redevelopment Covers
A total of 85 railway stations in Rajasthan are being redeveloped at an estimated cost of ₹4,623 crore, with work already completed at several locations. The Chief Minister also highlighted the recent inauguration of a ₹205 crore mega coaching terminal at Khatipura, designed to handle maintenance of multiple train categories — including Vande Bharat services — under one roof.
The state currently operates five pairs of Vande Bharat Express services, and nearly 3,900 kilometres of railway track have been laid since 2014. The Jaipur–Darbhanga Amrit Bharat Express was also launched last month, adding intercity connectivity.
Freight Corridor and Economic Push
The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor is emerging as a major catalyst for Rajasthan's economic growth, according to Sharma. Approximately ₹14,700 crore is being invested in the 567-route-kilometre section of the corridor that passes through the state. Several terminals have also been set up under the Shakti Cargo Terminal Scheme.
This comes amid a broader national push to raise freight share on rail and reduce logistics costs — a target the Centre has linked to India's manufacturing competitiveness. Notably, Rajasthan's desert geography makes dedicated freight infrastructure particularly significant for mineral and agri-commodity movement.
Officials and Dignitaries Present
The event at Gotan was attended by Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Bhagirath Choudhary, Public Health Engineering Minister Kanhaiyalal Choudhary, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Manju Baghmar, Rajasthan State Farmers' Commission Chairman C.R. Choudhary, MLAs Laxman Ram Kalaru and Revant Ram Danga, senior railway officials, and a large number of citizens.
With guidelines for further station redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme expected to be rolled out progressively, the focus now shifts to execution timelines and whether passenger experience improvements translate on the ground.
Point of View
Cleanliness, and accessibility, metrics that past station makeovers have struggled to sustain post-inauguration. Rajasthan's 15-fold budget jump is striking, but budget allocation and actual utilisation rates on Indian Railways have historically diverged. The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, if completed on schedule, could be the more transformative intervention — one that affects supply chains, not just aesthetics.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Amrit Stations and what does redevelopment involve?
Amrit Stations are Indian Railways facilities being upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, which focuses on improved passenger amenities, modern architecture, better accessibility, and enhanced safety. The redevelopment covers concourse areas, waiting halls, sanitation, and connectivity to local transport.
Which eight Rajasthan stations were dedicated by PM Modi on 17 July?
The eight redeveloped stations in Rajasthan are Gotan, Deeg, Somesar, Dausa, Khairthal, Barmer, Jaisalmer, and Gangapur City. They were part of the 75 stations across 20 states dedicated to the nation in a single ceremony from Jalandhar.
How much has Rajasthan's railway budget grown under the current government?
Rajasthan's railway budget has increased from ₹682 crore during 2009–14 to a record ₹10,228 crore for 2026–27, according to Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. Railway projects worth more than ₹76,800 crore are currently under implementation in the state.
What is the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor's significance for Rajasthan?
The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor passes through 567 route kilometres of Rajasthan, with an investment of approximately ₹14,700 crore. It is expected to accelerate movement of goods — particularly minerals and agricultural commodities — and reduce logistics costs in the state.
How many Vande Bharat trains currently operate in Rajasthan?
Rajasthan currently has five pairs of Vande Bharat Express services in operation, according to Chief Minister Sharma. The state has also seen nearly 3,900 kilometres of new railway track laid since 2014.
