The foundation stone laying ceremony, scheduled for tomorrow, will witness the Prime Minister kickstarting the redevelopment initiatives at prominent stations, including Agartala in Tripura, Sairang in Mizoram, and Rangpo in Sikkim.
Desk Report, February 25, 2024: In a significant move towards enhancing rail infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the redevelopment project for 23 key railway stations of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) on February 26 (Monday). These stations will undergo a transformative overhaul as part of the ‘Amrit Bharat Station’ scheme dedicated to the development of railway stations across India.
The foundation stone laying ceremony, scheduled for tomorrow, will witness the Prime Minister kickstarting the redevelopment initiatives at prominent stations, including Agartala in Tripura, Sairang in Mizoram, and Rangpo in Sikkim.
Agartala station is poised for a remarkable facelift with an estimated investment of Rs. 48 crores. Similarly, Sairang and Rangpo stations will witness redevelopment at costs of Rs. 40 crores and Rs. 333 crores, respectively.
This redevelopment aims to seamlessly blend modern passenger amenities with the distinctive local architecture of the respective states. Beyond cosmetic enhancements, the project is anticipated to unlock new opportunities, fostering increased employment, business prospects, and enhanced travel convenience for Northeast passengers.
Furthermore, the foundation laying ceremony will extend to 11 other stations in Assam, including Haibargaon, Gohpur, Harmuti, Majbat, Pathshala, Tangla, Udalguri, Viswanath Chariali, Murkongselek, North Lakhimpur, and Silapathar.
The Prime Minister will not only lay the foundation for railway stations but will also initiate the development of six road under bridges and two road over bridges under the purview of NFR.
The station upgrades encompass various aspects such as improved station access, enhanced amenities for Divyangjans, well-designed circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, and essential facilities like lift/escalators. Free Wi-Fi, appropriately crafted signages, dedicated pedestrian pathways, kiosks promoting local products through initiatives like ‘One Station One Product,’ better passenger information systems, Executive Lounges, and designated spaces for business meetings are also part of the comprehensive plan.
It’s noteworthy that the 23 NFR railway stations set for inauguration form part of the larger framework of over 554 railway stations covered by the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The inauguration, taking place via Video Conferencing, underscores the government’s commitment to modernizing railway infrastructure for the benefit of the public.
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