BONGAIGAON: In a bid to further enhance rail facilities in Northeast and Assam, Rs 10,269 crore have been allocated in the current budget of 2023-24.
This is an increase of 384% as compared to average allotment of Rs 2,122 crores during 2009-14. Along with selected railway stations from the rest of the country, 32 railway stations in Assam will receive a significant facelift under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme at a cost of Rs. 990.2 crore. The revamping of these stations will provide modern state-of-the-art amenities to the railway users of the state of Assam.
These stations will have facilities like huge roof plaza, retiring rooms, food court and waiting room for the convenience of the passengers. Divyangjan-friendly ramps and other modern amenities like lifts and escalators will also be provided. Improved parking facilities with segregation of incoming and outgoing vehicles will also be arranged. Keeping in mind the environmental scenario of Assam, these stations will be redeveloped as green buildings and arrangements for solar energy and water conservation systems will be installed. Apart from this, the redeveloped stations will create an important connectivity between the major cities of the state. This will play a key role in enhancing economic activities thereby generating employment in the state.
The 32 stations of Assam are Dhubri, Fakiragram Jn, Kokrajhar, Gosaigaon Hat, Gauripur, Lumding Jn, New Haflong, Diphu, Chaparmukh Jn, Jagiroad, Sarupather, Narangi, Hojai, Lanka, New Karimganj Jn, Arunachal, Rangapara North Jn, New Bongaigaon Jn, Rangiya Jn, Mariani, Dibrugarh, Jorhat Town, Makum Jn, Margherita, Amguri, Naharkatiya, Tinsukia, Duliajan, Simaluguri, New Tinsukia, Namrup and Sibsagar Town
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stones for redevelopment of a total of 508 railway stations across the country on August 6. Speaking on the occasion about the north-eastern states, the Prime Minister mentioned that work is going on rapidly on doubling of the lines, gauge conversion, electrification and new routes. Soon, all state capitals of the Northeast will be connected by railway network. The work of commissioning of new lines in the Northeast has increased three times, he added.
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