PM Modi to lay foundation stone for redevelopment 21 railway stations in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 21 Amrit Bharat Railway stations in Odisha on February 26, informed Manoj Sharma, the General Manger of East Coast Railway.

While addressing to media, Manoj Sharma said that PM Modi will lay foundation stone for 21 Amrit Bharat Railway stations, totaling an estimated cost of Rs.900 Cr. The 21 stations are Bimlagarh, Jaroli, Rairangpur, Panposh, Baleswar, Betnoti, Sambalpur City, Jharsuguda Road, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Rayagada, Paralakhemundi, Koraput, Jeypore, Talcher, Raghunathpur, Paradeep, Kendujhargarh, Bhadrak, Belpahar, and Brajarajnagar.

Sharma also informed that within the East Coast Railway zone, which also cover some parts of Andhara Pradesh and Chhattisgarh states, foundation stone will be laid in 22 Amrit Bharat Railway stations with a sanctioned cost of Rs.790 Cr. This initiative is expected to enhance station facilities, making travel more comfortable for passengers. The stations are Naupada, Simhachalam, Bobbili, Srikakulam Rd., Parvatipuram, Chipurupalle, Sambalpur City, Jharsuguda Rd., Titlagarh, Kesinga, Rayagada, Paralakhemundi, Koraput, Jeypore, Talcher, Raghunathpur, Paradeep, Kendujhargarh, Bhadrak, Araku, Kottavalasa and Ichachapuram.

The state of Odisha is witnessing a significant boost in infrastructure development with a total of 52 Road Over Bridges (ROB) and Road Under Bridges (RUB) projects scheduled for dedication or foundation laying. The cumulative project cost for these stands at Rs 1420 Cr. In the East Coast Railway zone alone, 30 ROB/RUBs with a total cost of Rs 1288 Cr are slated for development.

The Amrit stations redevelopment project promises improved station accessibility, air concourse, wider Foot Over Bridge (FOB), waiting areas, toilet facilities, lift and escalator installations, and enhanced cleanliness. Passengers can also look forward to amenities such as free Wi-Fi, local product kiosks, executive lounges, and spaces for business meetings.

Similarly, the ROB/RUB projects aim to bring visible benefits to the public, removing traffic barriers, enhancing safety, and improving overall transportation efficiency. The construction of railway over bridges and under bridges is expected to boost convenience, comfort, and mobility for road users by reducing congestion, pollution, and travel time.

BENEFITS:

Amrit stations:

• Better station accessibility, air concourze, wider FOB, waiting areas, toilet facilities, lift and escalator and cleanliness.
• Free Wi-Fi, kiosks for local products through initiatives like ‘One Station One Product’, enhanced passenger information systems, executive lounges, and spaces for business meetings.
• Facilities for individuals with disabilities (Divyangjans), sustainable and eco-friendly solutions and Food Plazas.
• Integration of stations with the surrounding city areas on both sides, promotion of multimodal connectivity, and transformation of stations into vibrant city centres over the long term.