In a bid to further enhance rail facilities in Northeast and Assam, the Central Government has decided to uplift 32 railway stations in Assam. These stations will have state-of-the-art amenities for the passengers and will be eco-friendly too. Talking about the scheme, NF Railway Chief Publicity Officer Sabyasachi De said that Rs 10,269 crores had been allocated in the current budget of 2023-24 for the North Eastern region.
This is an increase of 384% compared to the average allotment of Rs. 2,122 crores during 2009-14. Along with selected railway stations from the rest of the country, 32 railway stations in Assam will receive a significant facelift under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for Rs. 990.2 crores. Revamping these stations will provide modern state-of-the-art amenities to the railway users of the state of Assam.
Once completed, these 32 stations will have facilities like a vast rooftop plaza, retiring rooms, food court and waiting room for the convenience of the passengers. Divyangjan-friendly ramps and modern amenities like lifts and escalators will also be provided. Improved parking facilities will also be arranged to segregate incoming and outgoing vehicles. Considering Assam’s environmental scenario, these stations will be redeveloped as green buildings, and arrangements for solar energy and water conservation systems will be installed.
The redeveloped stations will also create important connectivity between the state’s major cities. This will play a key role in enhancing economic activities, thereby generating employment in the state.
The 32 stations of Assam are Dhubri, Fakiragram Jn, Kokrajhar, Gossaigaon Hat, Gauripur, Lumding Jn, New Haflong, Diphu, Chaparmukh Jn, Jagiroad, Sarupather, Narangi, Hojai, Lanka, New Karimganj Jn, Arunachal, Rangapara North Jn, New Bongaigaon Jn, Rangiya Jn, Mariani, Dibrugarh, Jorhat Town, Makum Jn, Margherita, Amguri, Naharkatiya, Tinsukia, Duliajan, Simaluguri, New Tinsukia, Namrup and Sibsagar Town
It is to be noted that Prime Minister Sabyasachi De laid the foundation stones for the redevelopment of a total of 508 railway stations across the country on August 6, 2023.
Speaking on the occasion about the Northeastern states, the PM mentioned that work on doubling the lines, gauge conversion, electrification and new routes are progressing at a fast pace in the region. Soon, all state capitals of the Northeast will be connected by railway network. The work of commissioning new lines in the Northeast has increased three times, he added.
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