Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told Parliament that the redevelopment of railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme represents a major shift in Indian Railways' approach to modernising station infrastructure. He said the scheme is founded on long-term, phased master plans designed to transform stations into integrated transport hubs that improve passenger convenience and city integration. The plans are intended to deliver systemic upgrades across identified stations through coordinated zoning and project management.

For the financial year 2026–27 the Centre allocated Rs 119,720 million (Rs 119,720 mn) for the programme, and Rs 46,330 million (Rs 46,330 mn) were utilised till June 2026, the minister informed the house. Funding is provided under Plan Head-53: Customer Amenities and budgets are managed by the respective railway zones to ensure phased implementation. The allocation reflects a national push to prioritise station facilities as part of broader urban infrastructure planning.

The minister identified Bhubaneswar among the important stations being redeveloped and listed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Gaya, Nagpur Junction, Rameswaram and Tirupati as part of the nationwide programme. A total of 1,340 stations have been identified for redevelopment and work has been completed at 261 stations to date, illustrating the staged roll-out. Redevelopment activity combines structural rehabilitation with service upgrades to improve overall passenger experience.

Master plans for each station prioritise seamless road connectivity on both sides, expanded parking, larger waiting halls, modern toilets and wider Foot Over Bridges (FOBs). Premium amenities such as air-conditioned concourses and executive lounges are included while special measures will enhance accessibility for Divyangjans (persons with disabilities) through lifts, ramps and escalators. The scheme also promotes local enterprise via One Station One Product kiosks, sustainable infrastructure and real-time passenger information to create vibrant urban station precincts for millions of users.