Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, two railway stations in Jammu and Kashmir have been identified for upgradation and modernization of infrastructure by the Indian railways.
Chief Area Manager (CAM) Kashmir, Saqib Yousuf Yatoo (IRTS) told Rising Kashmir that two stations in J&K have been identified for modernization by the Railways.
“In Kashmir, Budgam railway has been identified for the upgradation and similarly Udhampur stations identified in Jammu region,” he said.
CAM Kashmir Yatoo said the Amrit Bharat Station scheme envisages the development of stations on a continuous basis with a long-term approach. Multimodal integration, improvement of buildings and other infrastructure, he said.
“It involves preparation of Master Plans and their implementation in phases to improve the amenities at the stations,” he said.
As per Indian railways, the scheme envisages to take up 1275 stations for upgradation, modernization over Indian Railway. Under this scheme, 18 stations of Sonpur Division and 20 stations in Samastipur Division have been identified.
“Facilities like improvement of station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, escalators as necessary, cleanliness, free Wi-Fi, kiosks, better passenger information systems, etc. keeping in view the necessity at each station,” it said.
The scheme also envisages improvement of the building, integrating the station with both sides of the city, multimodal integration, environment-friendly solutions, and creation of city centres at the station for the long term.
Recently, the Jammu and Kashmir Railways have been allotted Rs 6003 crores in the Budget 2023-24. This is the highest-ever budget allocation for Railways in Jammu and Kashmir and six times more than the allotment from 2009 to 2014 during the UPA Government.
The highest-ever allocation in Budget 2023-24 for Railways in Jammu and Kashmir will enable speedy construction activities on all the ongoing as well as proposed projects.
