Bhubaneswar: The East Coast Railway revealed on Tuesday that a total of 57 railway stations in Odisha have been earmarked for significant transformation as part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of stations and bring forth a diverse range of improvements across these locations.

The selected stations set to undergo renovations include Angul, Badampahar, Balangir, Balasore, Balugaon, Barbil, Bargarh Road, Baripada, Barpali, Belpahar, Betnoti, Bhadrak, Bhawanipatna, Bhubaneswar, Bimlagarh, Brahmapur, Brajrajnagar, Chatrapur, Cuttack, Damanjodi, Dhenkanal, Gunupur, Harishanker Road, Hirakud, Jajpur-Keonjhar Road, Jaleswar, Jaroli, Jeypore, Jharsuguda, Jharsuguda Road, Kantabanji, Kendujhargarh, Kesinga, Khariar Road, Khurda Road, Koraput, Lingaraj Temple Road, Mancheswar, Meramandali, Muniguda, New Bhubaneswar, Panposh, Paradeep, Parlakhemundi, Puri, Raghunathpur, Rairakhol, Rairangpur, Rajgangpur, Rayagada, Rourkela, Sakhi Gopal, Sambalpur, Sambalpur City, Talcher, Talcher Road, and Titlagarh Junction.

According to the released statement, the initial phase of work has already commenced on some major stations. However, the focus now shifts to the redevelopment of 25 railway stations as part of the Amrit Bharat Scheme. The selected stations are Sakhigopal, Mancheswar, Dhenkanal, Chhatrapur, Angul, Palasa, Meramandali, Balugaon, Lingaraj Temple Road, Talcher Road, Khurda Road, Kantabanji, Bargarh Road, Hirakud, Rairakhol, Barpali, Muniguda, Balangir, Harisankar Road, Mahasamund, Bhawanipatna, Khariar Road, Vizianagaram, Duvvada, and Damanjodi.

A substantial amount of Rs 547.7 crores has been allocated for the redevelopment of these 25 stations under the jurisdiction of the East Coast Railway.

The primary objective of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is to facilitate the development of railway stations across the Indian Railways network. A total of 1309 stations have been targeted for modernization and upgradation. The scheme emphasizes multiple aspects such as improving the station's infrastructure, integrating it with the surrounding city areas on both sides, promoting multimodal connectivity, providing facilities for Divyangjans (differently-abled individuals), implementing sustainable and eco-friendly solutions, incorporating ballastless tracks, and creating 'Roof Plazas' as needed.

Moreover, the scheme also aims to address the phasing and feasibility of projects and envision long-term city centers at these stations. A wide range of amenities will be improved, including station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, lift/escalators, cleanliness, and the provision of free Wi-Fi. The scheme will also promote local products through initiatives like 'One Station One Product' and enhance passenger information systems. Additionally, the plan involves establishing Executive Lounges and dedicated spaces for business meetings, alongside landscape beautification efforts.

The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme endeavors to elevate the quality and overall experience of railway stations, making them vibrant and user-friendly hubs of transportation.

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