PM Modi to inaugurate redeveloped Jaisalmer Railway Station on Friday
Synopsis
PM Modi will simultaneously inaugurate 75 redeveloped Amrit Bharat Stations on Friday — and Jaisalmer's ₹140 crore golden-sandstone rebuild is the showpiece. With 10 lifts, 10 escalators, and a proposed rail coach restaurant, the desert city's gateway is being reimagined as both a transit hub and a heritage landmark.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate the redeveloped Jaisalmer Railway Station on Friday, 18 July 2025 .
The station was redeveloped at a cost of nearly ₹140 crore under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme .
The new three-storey building uses golden-yellow sandstone , designed to resemble a traditional Rajasthani palace.
Facilities include 10 lifts, 10 escalators , two new foot overbridges, and over 10,000 sq m of platform roofing.
The station is projected to earn around ₹50 lakh annually from commercial activities.
Jaisalmer is one of 75 Amrit Bharat Stations being inaugurated simultaneously, with 5 from Rajasthan .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate the redeveloped Jaisalmer Railway Station on Friday, 18 July 2025, under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, officials confirmed on Thursday. Built at a cost of nearly ₹140 crore, the station blends Jaisalmer's iconic heritage architecture with contemporary passenger infrastructure.
A Station That Looks Like a Palace
The new three-storey station building has been constructed using Jaisalmer's signature golden-yellow sandstone, giving it the visual character of a traditional desert palace while anchoring it firmly in the city's architectural identity. According to Hitesh Yadav, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Jodhpur), the redevelopment was specifically designed to reflect Jaisalmer's culture and heritage while delivering modern passenger conveniences.
Key Facilities at the Upgraded Station
The modernised station now offers 10 lifts and 10 escalators for seamless movement across platforms, along with two new six-metre-wide foot overbridges. Passengers will benefit from a modern waiting lounge, more than 10,000 square metres of new platform roofing for protection against heat and rain, and dedicated facilities for senior citizens and differently-abled passengers. Spacious entry and exit gates, retiring rooms, a large parking area, and commercial retail spaces round out the upgrades.
Plans are also in place to lease additional commercial areas to private businesses, and a rail coach restaurant has been proposed to enhance the visitor experience. Railway officials estimate the station could generate approximately ₹50 lakh annually through commercial activities, over and above ticket revenue.
Part of a Nationwide Rollout
Jaisalmer station is among 75 Amrit Bharat Stations that Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate simultaneously across the country on Friday. Five stations from Rajasthan are part of this nationwide rollout, underlining the state's prominence in the scheme's first major wave of completions.
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Jaisalmer MLA Chhotu Singh Bhati will be present at the station for the inauguration ceremony.
Tourism and Local Economy in Focus
Tourism entrepreneur Mayank Bhatia of the Priya Group said the redevelopment would meaningfully improve the travel experience for the lakhs of domestic and international tourists who visit Jaisalmer each year. Improved aesthetics and expanded commercial amenities are expected to strengthen both the tourism sector and local businesses. Railway officials believe the modernised station will reinforce Jaisalmer's standing as one of India's premier tourist destinations while preserving its distinctive desert heritage.
Point of View
So the real return is expected in tourism multipliers. Whether that logic holds will depend on whether footfall converts to dwell time — and whether the proposed rail coach restaurant and retail leases actually materialise on schedule.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme?
The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is a central government programme to redevelop railway stations across India with modern amenities while incorporating local architectural heritage. Jaisalmer Railway Station, redeveloped at ₹140 crore, is among the first 75 stations to be inaugurated under the scheme.
When will Jaisalmer Railway Station be inaugurated?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate the redeveloped Jaisalmer Railway Station on Friday, 18 July 2025, as part of a simultaneous nationwide launch of 75 Amrit Bharat Stations.
What new facilities does the redeveloped Jaisalmer station offer?
The upgraded station features 10 lifts, 10 escalators, two six-metre-wide foot overbridges, a modern passenger waiting lounge, over 10,000 square metres of platform roofing, dedicated facilities for senior citizens and differently-abled passengers, a large parking area, commercial retail spaces, and a proposed rail coach restaurant.
How much will the redeveloped station earn commercially?
Railway officials estimate the station could generate around ₹50 lakh annually through commercial activities — including retail spaces and leased areas — over and above ticket revenue.
Which Rajasthan stations are part of this inauguration?
Five railway stations from Rajasthan, including Jaisalmer, are part of the 75 Amrit Bharat Stations being inaugurated simultaneously by PM Modi on Friday. The other four stations have not been individually named in official statements reviewed by NationPress.
