Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

About the scheme- 

• Under this scheme, the small stations would be identified not just for their footfalls but also based on the cities they cater to.
• It aims at preparing master plans of railway stations and implementing those in phases to enhance facilities including and beyond the minimum essential amenities and aim for the creation of roof plazas and city centres at stations.
• The aim is also to identify developing cities with potential and envisage railway stations as city centres that would link not just various parts of the city but also between different cities in the future. 
• The plan is to map everything connected to it,  bridges and different modes of transport.
• The idea is to start modernising stations in a cost-effective manner. 
• According to need, the divisional railway managers (DRMs) will take a call on modernisation works in a phased manner.
• A special fund will also be earmarked with the DRMs for this purpose.
• The scheme’s target is the introduction of new amenities as well as to upgrade and replace existing facilities.
• These stations will be redeveloped under what is being internally called the “Khurda model of redevelopment”.
• Khurda station in Odisha was modernised for Rs 4 crore with all contemporary amenities for passengers. 
• DRMs were taken on a tour of the Khurda station to get a feel of what can be done under the new scheme, the official said.
• The new scheme envisages cost-efficient improvement to facades and makes provisions for wide, well-lit and aesthetically pleasing entrance porches.
• The scheme seeks to relocate redundant/old buildings in a cost-efficient manner so that the space is released for higher priority passenger-related activities and so that future development may be carried out smoothly.
• The station should also have a second entry station building and high-level platforms with a length of 600m.
• This is apart from the ambitious plan to revamp 200 big stations under a separate redevelopment programme.