Modi to lay foundation stone for Central Railway redevelopment

The launch of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 26, 2024 is a pivotal moment in India's modernisation of railway infrastructure. This initiative will revamp 12 railway stations in the Central Railway's Mumbai division, including critical hubs like Byculla and Chinchpokali, and eight stations under the Western Railway, such as Marine Lines and Charni Road. Maharashtra has been allocated Rs 155.54 billion this year to upgrade 56 stations to world-class standards from December 2023 to March 2024. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate 1,500 road over bridges (ROBs) and road under bridges (RUBs) nationwide and lay the foundation for 554 stations, with a total project value exceeding Rs 227.4 million These renovations aim to enhance the passenger experience by modernising facilities, including decluttering platforms and upgrading seating and ticketing areas. Tailored renovations for each station include drainage improvements, multi-storey parking, and aesthetic enhancements like artistic compound walls and landscaping. These comprehensive projects represent a significant step towards revitalising India's railway infrastructure and improving passenger travel experiences nationwide. Here's a combined summary of the redevelopment work for each station, along with their respective project costs: - Byculla: The redevelopment work includes the demolition of the existing east side booking office and construction of a new booking office, changing flooring and ACP cladding with a digital advertising screen, building a new west side entry gate, repairing and repainting platforms, constructing toilets on platforms, and building a multi-storey parking facility on the west side. The project cost is approximately Rs 352.5 million. - Sandhurst Road: Renovation of the existing booking office, providing a new platform surface with kota and granite, replacing damaged gully trap and drain pipe, renovating the ramp for station building access, and providing a cover over the ramp for Divyangjans. The project cost is approximately Rs 163.7 million. - Chinchpokli: Improving facade in main and rear side buildings, changing flooring on existing platforms, repairing drinking water fountains, renovating entry gates, and improving station area drainage. The project cost is approximately Rs 118.1 million. - Wadala Road: Proposing a new gate, repairing the existing booking office, installing new booking counters, replacing the old cover over platform, and replacing existing drainage pipes. The project cost is approximately Rs 230.2 million. - Matunga: Improving rear station building and circulation space, raising and resurfacing platform surfaces, improving footpaths, changing ACP cladding, landscaping, and repairing cover over platforms. The project cost is approximately Rs 172.8 million. - Kurla: Repairing the existing booking office, replacing old cover over platform sheets, repairing damaged platform surfacing, providing ACP on cover over platform columns, relocating interior space, and constructing a new main entry/exit gate. The project cost is approximately Rs 218.1 million. - Vidyavihar: Provision of a new FoB, circulating area improvement, provision of escalators, improving entrance facade, and renovating existing facilities. The project cost is approximately Rs 327.8 million. - Mumbra: Renovating the booking office and toilet blocks, repairing platform surfacing, and providing a drinking water fountain. The project cost is approximately Rs 146.1 million. - Diva: Provision of a new foot over bridge (FoB), a new booking office, construction of an RCC compound wall, repair of platform surfacing, and renovation of existing facilities. The project cost is approximately Rs 450.9 million. - Shahad: Provision of a new skywalk, parking spaces, new toilet blocks, renovation of existing facilities, and demolition of redundant structures. The project cost is approximately Rs 83.9 million. - Titwala: Provision of a new FoB, raising platform height, provision of cover over platforms, provision of toilet blocks, renovation of facilities, and demolition of redundant structures. The project cost is approximately Rs 250.5 million. - Igatpuri: No specific miscellaneous renovations were mentioned, with a project cost of approximately Rs 125.3 million.