1318 stations identified under Amrit Bharat Scheme whereas 94% of Gauge network Electrified: Ashwini Vaishnaw

February 2, 2024

New Delhi: Union Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology,  Ashwini Vaishnaw shared information on various ongoing projects of Indian Railways. Information was shared by him in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

Giving information about ‘Amrit Bharat Station Scheme’ which is for the development of Railway stations he said, So far, 1318 number of stations have been identified for development/redevelopment under this scheme. 1251 number of stations have been developed under ‘Adarsh Stations Scheme’ on Indian Railways.

This scheme envisages development of stations on a continuous basis with a long term approach. It involves preparation of Master Plans and their implementation in phases to improve the amenities at the stations like improvement of station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, lift/escalators as necessary, cleanliness, free Wi-Fi, kiosks for local products through schemes like ‘One Station One Product’, better passenger information systems, executive lounges, nominated spaces for business meetings, landscaping etc. keeping in view the necessity at each such station

It further mentioned that the details of allocation and expenditure for development and maintenance of stations are maintained zonal Railway-wise and not state-wise or station-wise or scheme-wise. Development of stations and provision of Passenger amenities are generally funded under Plan Head – 53 ‘Customer Amenities’.

There are 02 Zonal Railways, viz. Northern Railway(NR) and North Western Railway (NWR) which cater to the State of Punjab. During the year 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24total ₹ 1148.74 Crores expenditure has been incurred under Plan Head-53 and the total allocation of the current year is ₹ 2613.36Crores.

The status of implementation of the recommendations contained in the 6th report of the Standing Committee on Railways (17thLokSabha) on ‘Passenger Amenities including Modernization of Railway Stations’ has been placed on the Table of both Houses of Parliament on 08.03.2021.

Electrification of Gauge Network

About the electrification of Gauge network, the reply said that Since 2014-15, Indian Railways has completed electrification of about 40,000 Route Km on Broad gauge (BG) network. There is substantial jump in electrification from about 1.42 Km/day between 2004-14 to about 18 Km/day in 2022-23. At present, 61,813 Route km on BG network has been electrified, which is about 94% of the total Broad Gauge (BG) network of the Indian Railways. The electrification of balance BG network has been taken up. During 2014-23, Rs 43,346 crore have been spent on electrification.  Further, Rs. 8,070 crore have been allocated for electrification during 2023-24.

Conventional Coaches Replaced By LHB Coaches

In another information shared, it was said that Conventional (ICF) coaches are being replaced by Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches. Since 2015, about 23000 conventional coaches have been replaced by LHB coaches. Salient features of LHB coaches include better ride quality index, Centre Buffer Coupler for enhanced safety and anti-climbing features, Axle mounted Disc brake system, Sturdy and Robust design to minimize damage and obviating capsizing of coaches during accidents, provision of Bio-toilets, Higher Seating Capacity, Large panoramic windows, FRP (Fibre Reinforced Plastic) panels in AC coaches, Microprocessor controlled AC etc.