Delhi Railway stations set for Mega Makeover under ABSS Initiative

As part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) initiated by the central government, a major transformation is in the works for approximately 14 railway stations located in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). This overhaul is part of a broader effort encompassing 508 stations across the nation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the railway station redevelopment initiative on Sunday, laying the foundation stone for the project. Among the stations covered by Northern Railways, a total of 71 exist within the region, with 14 situated within the Delhi-NCR zone. However, noteworthy stations like New Delhi and Anand Vihar will not be included in this particular endeavour.

According to a representative from Northern Railways, both the New Delhi Station (NDLS) and Anand Vihar Station will undergo distinct projects. The NDLS renovation is of significant scale, having experienced a previous unsuccessful tender. Subsequently, a new tender has been issued, and initial discussions have taken place. In the case of Anand Vihar, the plan involves an extension of two railway lines.

The renovation blueprint emphasises several key goals, including the modernisation of stations, the installation of new rail lines, complete electrification, and an enhancement of both passenger safety and infrastructure security.

Officials disclosed that the initiative involves the removal of unnecessary structures along railway lines, improved lighting, station upgrades with parking facilities, and enhanced accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The scheme also encompasses the installation of lifts, escalators, concourses, modern waiting rooms, and retail areas, all designed to elevate the passengers' experience.

Within the Northern Railways domain, the 71 stations are distributed as follows: one in Chandigarh, one in Himachal Pradesh, 21 in Punjab, 10 in Haryana, 2 in Uttarakhand, 28 in Uttar Pradesh, 3 in Jammu and Kashmir, and 5 within the Delhi-NCR region.