Table of Contents
Introduction
Indian Railways has been committed to providing world-class amenities and services to passengers, incorporating modern technologies and sustainable practices to enhance the overall travel experience. All station development projects aim to modernise and upgrade railway stations across the country.
The iconic image of a bustling railway station with its cacophony of announcements, the rhythmic chugging of trains and the flurry of passengers has long been synonymous with India’s vibrant culture and dynamic transportation network. As the backbone of the country’s massive railway system, railway stations play a major role in connecting people, cultures, and businesses across vast distances. However, with the passage of time and the increasing demands of modern travellers, the need for comprehensive redevelopment of these stations has become apparent.
Modern amenities such as food courts, air-conditioned waiting lounges, a VIP lounge, dormitories, a digital signage system, and upgraded parking facilities are the key features of these station development projects.
Some of the other features of these developing or developed Indian Railways stations are that they consist of multi-modal transport integration, skywalks, improved traffic management, improved waiting areas, tourist information centres, rainwater harvesting, solar power & energy-efficient systems along with waste management facilities.
Rani Kamlapati Railway Station (Bhopal), Gandhinagar Capital Railway Station (Gujarat), Ayodhya Railway Station (Uttar Pradesh), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (Mumbai) & New Delhi Railway Station (New Delhi) are some of the examples of which new stations are being modernized. We will discuss in detail about these in this article.
Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
The Ministry of Indian Railways launched the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in February 2023. This scheme is the Centre’s ambitious plan for transforming a total of 1275 stations across the Indian Railway system in the country. The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme signifies a concerted effort by Indian Railways to modernize and upgrade its infrastructure in order to elevate the travel experience for millions of passengers.
The Amrit Bharat Station scheme envisions a sustained and comprehensive development of railway stations over the long term. It involves creating Master Plans and executing them in phases to enhance various station facilities. These improvements include enhancing station accessibility, waiting areas, restroom facilities, installing lifts and escalators as required, maintaining cleanliness, providing free Wi-Fi, establishing kiosks for local products through programs like ‘One Station One Product’, upgrading passenger information systems, creating Executive Lounges, designating spaces for business meetings, incorporating landscaping, and addressing the specific needs of each station.
The scheme also prioritises upgrading station structures and integrating them with the surrounding urban areas on both sides. It promotes multimodal connectivity and ensures facilities for individuals with disabilities (Divyangjans). Additionally, it focuses on implementing sustainable and eco-friendly solutions, introducing ballastless tracks, and incorporating ‘Roof Plazas’ where needed. By considering the feasibility and phasing of these improvements, the scheme aims to transform these stations into vibrant city centres over the long term.
One of the notable aspects of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is that the designs of the redeveloped station buildings are inspired by local culture, heritage, and architecture. For example, the Ahmedabad station draws inspiration from the Modhera Sun Temple, while the Dwarka station is influenced by the Dwarkadheesh Temple. The Gurugram station will reflect an IT theme, whereas the Baleshwar station in Odisha will be designed based on the theme of the Bhagwan Jagannath Temple. The Kumbhakonam Station in Tamil Nadu will prominently feature elements of Chola architecture.
Among the stations currently under redevelopment, Puri station is inspired by the architecture of the Jagannath Temple. In Tamil Nadu, the Madurai and Rameswaram stations draw their designs from the Madurai Meenakshi and Ramanathaswamy Temples, respectively. Kotdwar Station showcases traditional Hill Station architecture, while Udaipur Station features a dome inspired by the Umaid Bhawan Palace. Stations in the Delhi NCR region, such as Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Safdarjung, and Bijwasan, have a modern aesthetic, as do the stations in Prayagraj, Bhubaneswar, Secunderabad, and Chennai Egmore. The HiTech City station in Hyderabad boasts a contemporary designer look, and the two stations in Bengaluru—Yeshwantpur and Bangalore Cantt—are designed to resemble airports.
Major Station Development Projects of Indian Railways
Modernization of so many stations has started to create a new atmosphere for development in the country as they create a good first impression among the visitors. Upgraded stations will not only increase tourism but will also give a push to economic activities in the nearby areas.
Additionally, the “One Station One Product” scheme is designed to support artisans and enhance the branding of districts. Under the new station development projects, each railway station will become a symbol of the nation’s modern aspirations while honouring its ancient heritage
Some of the railway stations have already been redeveloped as per vision. Below is a summary of some prominent station development projects, highlighting their key features and sustainable practices.
Rani Kamlapati Railway Station (Bhopal)
- Overview: Formerly known as Habibganj, this station has been redeveloped into a world-class facility, inaugurated in November 2021.
- Features: Modern amenities such as food courts, air-conditioned waiting lounges, a VIP lounge, dormitories, a digital signage system, and upgraded parking facilities.
- Sustainability: The station is designed as a green building with energy-efficient systems and waste management facilities.
Gandhinagar Capital Railway Station (Gujarat)
- Overview: Inaugurated in July 2021, the station has been redeveloped into a modern, airport-like facility.
- Features: A five-star hotel above the station, a large concourse area, enhanced passenger amenities, and a central air conditioning system.
- Sustainability: The station includes green building features such as LED lighting, rainwater harvesting, and solar power.
Ayodhya Railway Station (Uttar Pradesh)
- Overview: The redevelopment of Ayodhya Railway Station aims to accommodate the expected increase in pilgrims and tourists due to the upcoming Ram Temple.
- Features: Heritage-inspired architecture, modern amenities, improved waiting areas, better parking facilities, and tourist information centers.
- Status: The project is under development and is expected to be completed in phases.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (Mumbai)
- Overview: One of India’s iconic railway stations, CSMT, is undergoing a comprehensive redevelopment plan.
- Features: Preservation of the heritage structure while integrating modern amenities such as upgraded platforms, enhanced passenger facilities, and improved traffic management.
- Sustainability: Emphasis on green building practices and energy efficiency.
New Delhi Railway Station (New Delhi)
- Overview: A major redevelopment project aiming to transform New Delhi Railway Station into a world-class transport hub.
- Features: A new terminal building, multi-modal transport integration, skywalks, high-quality passenger facilities, and commercial spaces.
- Sustainability: Focus on eco-friendly practices and smart technologies for energy and water conservation.
Secunderabad Railway Station (Telangana)
- Overview: A redevelopment project to modernize Secunderabad Railway Station with enhanced facilities.
- Features: Upgraded platforms, new foot overbridges, improved passenger amenities, better parking, and enhanced security features.
- Sustainability: Incorporation of energy-efficient lighting and waste management systems.
Ernakulam Junction Railway Station (Kerala)
- Overview: Redevelopment aimed at transforming the station into a modern hub with improved amenities.
- Features: Modern waiting lounges, better accessibility features, upgraded platforms, and digital information systems.
- Sustainability: Focus on green building standards and eco-friendly operations.
Bengaluru Cantonment Railway Station (Karnataka)
- Overview: Planned redevelopment to upgrade the station’s infrastructure and passenger amenities.
- Features: Enhanced waiting areas, modern ticketing facilities, better parking and circulation areas, and improved platform facilities.
- Sustainability: Emphasis on sustainable design and energy-efficient systems.
Lucknow Charbagh Railway Station (Uttar Pradesh)
- Overview: A comprehensive redevelopment project to upgrade infrastructure and passenger facilities.
- Features: Modern concourse area, enhanced waiting lounges, upgraded platforms, and improved accessibility.
- Sustainability: Implementation of green building practices and energy-efficient technologies
Now, when you enter these modern & state of the art redeveloped railway stations, it gives an amazing experience. The redeveloped Railway stations will have all passenger amenities in one place along with spaces for retail, cafeterias, and recreational facilities. There will be a segregation of arriving and departing passengers. Facilities like a food court, waiting lounge, a place for local products, etc. will be available.
To make the station navigable, proper illumination, wayfinding/signages, acoustics, lifts/escalators/travellators shall be provided. A Master plan has been prepared for smooth movement of traffic, with adequate parking facilities. The redeveloped railway station will boast passenger amenities on par with those typically found at airports. The city centre, created due to the railway station’s redevelopment will lead to the creation of a fusion hub, seamlessly integrating transportation and commercial activities.
India’s Railway Stations are not going to be the same in the near future. What remained unchanged for decades, and in some cases even over a century, is now bracing for an unprecedented transformation. These state-of-art infrastructure and facilities will not only enhance the overall performance of Indian Railways but also contribute to making India the world’s 3rd largest economy sooner.
Conclusion
The development of Indian railway stations represents a significant leap towards creating a modern, efficient, and passenger-centric railway network. These efforts not only aim to meet the current demands but also anticipate future growth, ensuring that India’s railway infrastructure can support the country’s economic aspirations and enhance the travel experience for millions of passengers. Through strategic planning, technological innovation, and collaborative efforts, Indian railway stations are poised to become global benchmarks of excellence in railway infrastructure.
