PM lays foundation stone for redevelopment of 508 Railway Stations across the country
“A new chapter is beginning in the
light of new energy, inspirations and resolutions”
“Today the eyes of the whole world are on India. World's attitude towards India
has changed”
“Modernization of so many stations will create a new atmosphere for development
in the country”
“These Amrit Railway stations will be a symbol of taking pride in one’s
heritage and instill pride in every citizen”
“Our emphasis is on making Indian Railways modern as well as environment
friendly”
“Now it is our responsibility to connect the rail with a better identity and
modern future”
“In New India, development is giving way to new opportunities for the youth,
and the youth are giving new wings to the development of the country”
“August is the month of Kranti, gratitude and duty. Many historical occasions
which gave new direction to the history of India took place in August”
“Our Independence Day is the time to reiterate our commitment towards our
Tricolor and the progress of our nation. Like last year, this time also, we
have to hoist the tricolor at every house.”
In a historic
move, the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the
redevelopment of 508 Railway Stations across the country via video conferencing
today. Redeveloped at a cost of more than Rs 24,470 crores, these 508 stations
are spread across 27 states and union territories, including 55 each in Uttar
Pradesh and Rajasthan, 49 in Bihar, 44 in Maharashtra, 37 in West Bengal, 34 in
Madhya Pradesh, 32 in Assam, 25 in Odisha, 22 in Punjab, 21 each in Gujarat and
Telangana, 20 in Jharkhand, 18 each in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, 15 in
Haryana, 13 in Karnataka among others.
Addressing
the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that the new India which is fast
moving towards the goal of Viksit Bharat is on the onset of Amrit Kaal. “There
is new energy, new inspirations and new resolutions”, the Prime Minister said
underlining that it is the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Indian
Railway. He informed that almost 1300 prime railway stations in the country
will now be redeveloped with modernity as ‘Amrit Bharat Stations’ and will get
a new lease of life. Out of the 1300 railway stations, the Prime Minister
informed, the foundation stone for 508 Amrit Bharat Stations is being laid
today at the cost of approx Rs 25,000 crores. He emphasized that the
redevelopment project will be a huge campaign for infrastructure development in
the country along with the railways as well as the common citizens. Noting that
its benefits will be spread to all states in the country, the Prime Minister
mentioned that 55 Amrit Stations will be developed at the cost of approx Rs
4,000 crores in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, 34 stations in Madhya Pradesh at
the cost of approx Rs 1,000 crores, 44 stations in Maharashtra at the cost of
1,500 crores, and prime railway stations in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala
among others will be redeveloped. The Prime Minister praised the Ministry of
Railways and congratulated the citizens for this historic project.
The
Prime Minister underlined the growing stature of India in the world and
highlighted the growing global interest in India. He credited two major factors
for this. First, the election of a stable full majority government by the
people of India and, second, the government took ambitious decisions and worked
relentlessly for the development of the people in accordance with their
aspirations. He emphasized that Indian railways too symbolizes this. He
presented the facts of the expansion of the rail sector to illustrate his
points. He said that in the last 9 years, the length of track laid in the
country is more than the combined railway network in South Africa,
Ukraine, Poland, the UK and Sweden. Putting the scale of expansion in Indian
railways in perspective, the Prime Minister further said that in the last year
alone, India laid more railway tracks than the combined railway network of
South Korea, New Zealand and Australia. Today, he said, the government is
working to make the rail journey accessible as well as pleasant. “The effort is
to provide the best possible experience from train to station”, he added. He
mentioned better seating on platforms, upgraded waiting rooms and free wifi on
thousands of stations.
Underlining
the vast developments that have taken place in Indian Railways, the Prime
Minister said that any PM would want to speak about these achievements from the
Red Fort. However, the Prime Minister also emphasized that it is due to the
grand organization of today’s event that he is reflecting on the achievements
of Railways in great detail today itself.
The
Prime Minister referred to the railway’s status as the lifeline of the country
and said along with this, the identity of the cities is also linked with the
railway stations which have become the heart of the city with the passing of
time. This has made it imperative to provide a modern form to the
stations.
The
Prime Minister said that the modernization of so many stations will create a
new atmosphere for development in the country as they will 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. He said
the ‘One Station One Product’ scheme will help the artisans and will help in
the branding of the district.
The
Prime Minister emphasized that the country has also taken the resolution to
take pride in one’s heritage in the Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal. “These Amrit Railway
stations will be a symbol of taking pride in one’s heritage and instill pride
in every citizen”, Shri Modi said. The Prime Minister said that the Amrit
Stations will present a glimpse of India’s cultural and local heritage. Giving
examples, the Prime Minister mentioned that Jaipur Railway Stations will
have glimpses of Hawa Mahal and Amer Fort from Rajasthan, Jammu Tawi Railway
Station in Jammu and Kashmir will be inspired by the famous Raghunath Mandir
and Dimapur Station of Nagaland will showcase the local architecture of 16
different tribes from the region. He stated that every railway station will be
a symbol of the modern aspirations of the country along with its ancient
heritage. The Prime Minister mentioned strengthening the ‘Bharat Gaurav Yatra
Trains’ which connects places of historical relevance and pilgrimages.
Underlining
the Railways' role in giving momentum to the economic growth of the country,
the Prime Minister said that record investment has been done in railways. This
year, Railways received a budget of more than Rs 2.5 lakh crores, a five-fold
increase as compared to 2014. Today, he said, work is being done for the
complete development of Railways with a holistic approach. Locomotive
production increased by 9 times in the last 9 years. Today 13 times more HLB
coaches are being manufactured.
Talking
about the railway extension in the Northeast, the Prime Minister said, work is
going on rapidly on doubling of the lines, gauge conversion, electrification
and new routes. “Soon, all state capitals of the Northeast will be connected by
railway network”, Modi said. He informed that Nagaland got its second station
after 100 years. “Commissioning of new railway lines in the region has
increased three times”, he said.
The
Prime Minister informed that in the last 9 years more than 2200 km dedicated
freight corridors have been constructed leading to a reduction in the travel
time of the goods train. Now goods reach western ports from Delhi NCR in 24
hours, a task that used to take 72 hours. 40 percent reduction in time has been
witnessed on the other routes also which is hugely benefitting the
entrepreneurs, industrialists and farmers.
Pointing
out the difficulties faced due to the lack of Railway bridges, the Prime
Minister informed that there were less than 6000 railway overbridges and
underbridges before 2014, but today, that number has gone beyond 10,000. He
also mentioned that the number of unmanned level crossings on large lines is
now down to zero. Speaking about the convenience for passengers, the Prime
Minister underlined that special emphasis is being laid upon the needs of the
elderly and divyang.
“Our
emphasis is on making Indian Railways modern as well as environment friendly”,
the Prime Minister said as he informed that 100 per cent rail line
electrification will be achieved very soon which will result in all the trains
in India running only on electricity. The Prime Minister also mentioned that
the number of stations that generate electricity from solar panels has
increased to more than 1200 in the last 9 years. The Prime Minister emphasized
that the government aims to produce green energy from every railway station in
the near future. He also mentioned that LED lights have been installed in about
70,000 coaches and the number of bio-toilets in trains has increased 28 times
as compared to 2014. Modi underlined that all the Amrit stations will be built
to meet the standards of green buildings. “By 2030, India will be a country
whose railway network will run on net zero emissions”, he added.
The
Prime Minister said, “Rail has worked for decades to connect us with our loved
ones, it has worked to connect the country. Now it is our responsibility to
connect the rail with a better identity and modern future.” He lamented the
opposition to projects like the new Parliament Building, Kartavya Path, war
memorial and Statue of Unity. “Away from negative politics, we have taken the
task of nation’s development as a mission and given it the top priority
irrespective of vote bank and party politics”, he said.
Highlighting
that railway has provided jobs to more than 1.5 lakh youth alone, the Prime
Minister said that employment is also being created by investing lakhs of
crores on infrastructure. At present, the Prime Minister said, the central
government is also running a campaign to provide jobs to 10 lakh youth through
Rozgar Mela. “This is the picture of a changing India where development is
giving way to new opportunities for the youth, and the youth are giving new
wings to the development of the country”, he added.
The
Prime Minister acknowledged the presence of many freedom fighters and several
Padma awardees in this program to bless the occasion. Highlighting the
significance of the month of August for every Indian, the Prime Minister said
that it is the month of revolution, gratitude and duty and filled with many
historical occasions which gave a new direction to the history of India. The
Prime Minister mentioned National Handloom Day which is celebrated on August 7
and dedicated to the Swadeshi movement. “This date of 7th August is the day for
every Indian to reiterate the resolution of being Vocal for Local”, Shri
Modi said. He also mentioned the holy festival of Ganesh Chaturthi and stressed
the need to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in an eco-friendly way. The Prime
Minister suggested trying out idols made of eco-friendly material. He also
suggested buying products made by local artisans, handicrafts men and small
entrepreneurs.
Speaking
about the 9th of August, the Prime Minister said that it was the historic date
when the Quit India movement began and it created new energy in India's
struggle for independence. Inspired by this, the Prime Minister said that today
the whole country is roaring Quit India for every evil, corruption, dynasty and
appeasement.
The
Prime Minister mentioned the upcoming Partition Horror Remembrance Day and said
that we remember countless people who paid a huge cost of the partition and
acknowledged the contribution of the people who gathered themselves after the
shock and are contributing to the development of the country. He said that this
day gives us the responsibility of keeping our unity intact. Shri Modi said
“Our Independence Day is the time to reiterate our commitment towards our
Tricolor and the progress of our nation. Like last year, this time also, we
have to hoist the tricolor at every house.” He noted the people’s enthusiasm on
social media and in flag marches and appealed to everyone to get associated
with the campaign.
The Prime Minister underlined that the
government has changed the perception that the tax paid by citizens is
squandered in corruption and today people feel that their money is being used
for nation-building. He noted that the number of people paying taxes is
increasing due to the increasing facilities and Ease of Living. The Prime
Minister mentioned the time when income of Rs 2 lakh was taxed in the country
while income up to Rs 7 lakh is not taxed today. Despite this, the Prime
Minister said, the amount of income tax collected in the country is increasing,
and sending a clear message that the scope of the middle class in the country
is continuously increasing. He informed that the number of people filing income
tax returns has increased by 16% this year which shows the growth of trust in
the government and the innovation taking place in the country. Today people are
seeing how railways are being rejuvenated in the country, Metro is expanding.
He mentioned the development of new expressways and airports and said that such
changes embolden the feeling of a new India being developed with the taxpayers’
money. Concluding the address, the Prime Minister said, “The modernization of
these 508 railway stations is also a step taken in this direction. I assure
you, Amrit Bharat Stations will take this transformation of Indian Railways to
a new height.”
The
Prime Minister has often laid stress on the provision of state-of-the-art
public transport. Noting that railways are the preferred mode of transport for
people across the country, he has emphasized the importance of providing
world-class amenities at railway stations. Guided by this vision, the Amrit
Bharat Station Scheme was launched to redevelop 1309 stations nationwide.
As
part of this scheme, the Prime Minister has laid the foundation stone for the
redevelopment of 508 railway stations. These stations will be redeveloped at a
cost of more than Rs 24,470 crores. Master Plans are being prepared for the
development of these stations as ‘City Centres’, with proper integration of
both sides of the city. This integrated approach is driven by the holistic vision
of the overall urban development of the city, centered around the railway
station.
These
508 stations are spread across 27 states and union territories, including 55
each in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, 49 in Bihar, 44 in Maharashtra, 37 in West
Bengal, 34 in Madhya Pradesh, 32 in Assam, 25 in Odisha, 22 in Punjab, 21 each
in Gujarat and Telangana, 20 in Jharkhand, 18 each in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil
Nadu, 15 in Haryana, 13 in Karnataka among others.
The
redevelopment will provide modern passenger amenities along with ensuring
well-designed traffic circulation, inter-modal integration and signage for the
guidance of passengers. The design of the station buildings will be inspired by
local culture, heritage and architecture.