Bhubaneswar, July 25 (UDN): The transformation of railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is gathering pace, with Bhubaneswar emerging as one of the major stations undergoing a comprehensive makeover, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament during the Monsoon Session.
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The Minister said the initiative reflects Indian Railways’ long-term vision of converting conventional railway stations into modern, passenger-centric transport hubs through carefully planned, phased redevelopment.
Sharing the latest progress, Vaishnaw said 1,340 railway stations across the country have been selected under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Redevelopment has already been completed at 261 stations, while work is progressing at several others, including Bhubaneswar, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Gaya, Nagpur Junction, Rameswaram, and Tirupati.
For the 2026–27 financial year, the Centre has earmarked ₹11,972 crore under the Customer Amenities budget to support the programme. Of this, ₹4,633 crore had already been spent by the end of June 2026, the Minister said.
The redevelopment plans are tailored to the specific needs of each station, with a focus on enhancing passenger convenience, improving accessibility and strengthening urban connectivity. The upgraded stations will feature redesigned entry and exit points, better road access, expanded parking facilities, spacious waiting areas, modern sanitation infrastructure and wider foot overbridges to ease passenger movement.
To elevate the travel experience, the projects also include air-conditioned concourses, executive lounges and advanced digital passenger information systems. The stations are being designed to be fully accessible, with lifts, escalators and ramps for persons with disabilities.
In addition, the scheme promotes local identity through dedicated ‘One Station One Product’ kiosks, while incorporating environmentally sustainable features into station infrastructure.
The Railway Ministry said the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is aimed at creating world-class railway facilities that not only improve passenger services but also transform railway stations into vibrant urban landmarks supporting regional development and economic growth.