Ministry has formulated various schemes viz. Model, Modern and Adarsh Station Scheme for upgradation/beautification/ modernization of stations on Indian Railways.
- ‘Model’ station scheme was in vogue from 1999 to 2008. Initially one station per Division of Indian Railways was selected under the scheme. In the year 2006, the criteria were revised to include all ‘A’ and ‘B’ category stations on the basis of the annual passenger earnings under the scheme. Under this scheme 594 stations were selected for upgradation. Out of these, 590 stations have already been developed. As regards, the remaining 4 stations, Sambalpur Road Station & Alnavar station have been dropped from the scheme, while Ultadanga and Mal Bazar Stations have been closed. The names of stations developed under ‘Model’ Station Scheme are at Appendix-I.
- ‘Modern’ station scheme was in vogue from 2006-07 to 2007-08. Under this scheme, 637 stations were selected for upgradation which have already been developed. The names of stations developed under ‘Modern’ Station Scheme are at Appendix-II.
- Presently, Railway stations are upgraded/modernized under ‘Adarsh’ Station Scheme based on identified need of providing better enhanced passenger amenities at stations. Under ‘Adarsh’ Station Scheme, 1253 stations have been identified for development, out of which 1213 stations so far have been developed and the remaining stations are targeted to be developed under Adarsh Station Scheme by Financial Year 2022-23. The names of stations identified for development under ‘Adarsh’ Station Scheme are at Appendix-III.
- Various passenger amenities which, inter-alia, include improvement to façade of the station building, retiring room, waiting room (with bathing facilities), separate waiting room for ladies, landscaping of circulating area, earmarked parking, signages, Pay & Use toilets, Foot Over Bridge, ramps at entry to station etc. have been provided at these Railway stations as per the respective category of the station depending upon need, volume of passenger traffic and inter-se priority, subject to availability of funds.
- Recently, a new umbrella work scheme of ‘Major Upgradation of Railway Station’ has been initiated. The facilities envisaged in this scheme includes rebuilding/improvement/augmentation of station building, congestion free non-conflicting entry/exit to the station premises, segregation of arrival/departure of passengers, adequate concourse without overcrowding, integration of both sides of the city wherever feasible, user friendly signages, well illuminated circulating area and sufficient provision for drop off, pick up & parking etc., and all facilities of Divyangjans among other facilities as per requirement and feasibility. So far, under this scheme, the work of major upgradation of Bijwasan station has been sanctioned.
- Besides this, upgradation/beautification/ modernization/ soft upgradation of stations on Indian Railways is a continuous and on-going process and works in this regard are undertaken as per requirement, subject to inter-se priority and availability of funds.
- However, priority for upgradation/modernization of stations is accorded to higher category of station over lower category of station while sanctioning and executing the work.
Source: PIB- Press Release | Image Credit (representational): MoR
