Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated 75 redeveloped railway stations across 20 states from Jalandhar in Punjab last evening.
These stations have been modernised under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) which is one of the world’s largest station redevelopment programmes. Developed at a cost of about 1,570 crore rupees, these stations have been transformed into modern, passenger-friendly facilities.
Redeveloped in the spirit of ‘Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi’, the stations incorporate elements reflecting local culture, heritage and architecture. Among the redeveloped stations are Jalandhar Cantonment, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Sri Muktsar Sahib and Sri Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, Pratapnagar, Godhra, Porbandar and Bhaktinagar in Gujarat; Barpali, Balangir, Paralakhemundi, Talcher, Kesinga, Bimalgarh and Baripada in Odisha; besides nine stations under the Southern Railway.
On the occasion, Mr Modi flagged off the Kartoli-Ambala train service, which will improve connectivity across Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. He also flagged off the Sant Ravidas Express between Amritsar (Chheharta) and Varanasi, establishing a direct rail link between two of India’s most revered spiritual and cultural centres.
The redeveloped railway stations and two train services are among several rail and road infrastructure projects worth over 5,470 crore rupees unveiled by Prime Minister Modi at Jalandhar yesterday. The projects are aimed at strengthening connectivity, improving passenger convenience and accelerating economic development in the region. He also inaugurated the 30.9-km-long Package-6 of the four-lane greenfield Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Modi said the inauguration of 75 redeveloped railway stations reflects the rapid transformation that Indian Railways has undergone over the past few years. He said the Centre is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the state’s development. He said the BJP-led central government’s priority is to serve the people, improve their quality of life and create new opportunities for their progress. He said the government is guided by the mantra of ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’.
Earlier in the day, India got its first hydrogen-powered train, when Prime Minister Modi flagged the passenger service from Jind railway station in Haryana. The train will run between the Jind and Sonipat railway stations and cover the 89-km distance in two hours. Mr Modi also laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation several development projects worth around 14,700 crore rupees in Jind. Later, the Prime Minister launched development works worth over 4,700 crore rupees in Chandigarh, spanning healthcare, education and road infrastructure.
