PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi on Thursday virtually inaugurated as many as 103 redeveloped railway stations across the country under the ambitious Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, including five upgraded 'Amrit Stations' in Chhattisgarh. The revamped stations aim to offer world-class passenger amenities and reflect local culture and heritage in their design. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai participated in the state-level programme held at Ambikapur Railway Station—one of the five Chhattisgarh stations inaugurated. The other four include Urkura, Bhilai and Bhanupratappur (Raipur division) and Dongargarh (Nagpur division).

 

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sai expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for the major infrastructure push, stating that stations like Ambikapur—headquarters of tribal-dominated Surguja—have now emerged as significant nodes on the railway map. “The inclusion of these five stations as Amrit Stations is a proud moment for Chhattisgarh,” he remarked. The Ambikapur event was attended by Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam, Finance Minister OP Choudhary, Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Rajwade, Lok Sabha MP Chintamani Maharaj, MLAs Rajesh Agarwal, Uddheshwari Paikra and Shankutala Pote, Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, along with several public representatives and senior administrative officials. The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme envisions the redevelopment of 1,337 railway stations nationwide, aimed at transforming them into modern, passenger-friendly hubs.

 

The 103 stations inaugurated Thursday have been upgraded with state-of-the-art infrastructure, including grand entrances, attractive façades, high-mast lighting, modern waiting areas, accessible ticket counters, Divyangjan-friendly ramps, clean toilets, platform shelters, coach indicators and digital display systems. A notable feature of the scheme is the integration of local folk art, traditions and culture into the station design—highlighting the unique identity of each region. The development also aligns with sustainable principles, incorporating green building concepts, energy-efficient systems, rainwater harvesting, landscaped green zones, murals and systematic traffic and parking arrangements. Under the scheme, 32 railway stations in Chhattisgarh have been earmarked for redevelopment at an estimated cost of Rs 1,680 crore.

 

These include prominent stations like Bilaspur, Raipur, Durg, Korba, Jagdalpur, Tilda-Neora, Bhilai Power House, Pendra Road, Uslapur, Baikunthpur Road, Bhatapara, Dalli Rajhara, Akaltara, Baradwar, Naila-Janjgir, Champa, Rajnandgaon, Sarona, Hathband, Mahasamund and others. Work is underway at these locations to construct modern infrastructure while promoting local heritage. The initiative seeks not just to upgrade passenger amenities, but also to catalyse cultural, social, and economic activities around railway stations—especially in remote and industrial areas. Officials believe the transformation will boost tourism and significantly enhance the quality of life in these regions. The Indian Railways is committed to realising the vision of a ‘New India’ by connecting every citizen through seamless, modern and culturally vibrant transport hubs. The redevelopment programme marks a significant step towards that goal.