New Delhi: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved Indian Railways' proposal for the redevelopment of three major railway stations with an approximate total investment of nearly Rs 10,000 crore, an official statement said on Wednesday. The list of these stations includes New Delhi Railway Station, Ahmedabad Railway Station and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai.

"Railway Station is an important and central place for any city. Prime Minster Sh. Narendra Modi has given importance to stations development in the transformation of Railways. Today's Cabinet decision gives a new direction to the station development. Work on redevelopment of 199 Stations is going on. Out of these, tenders have been issued for 47 stations. Master planning and design for the remaining are underway. Work is progressing fast for 32 stations. Today, the Cabinet has sanctioned an investment of Rs 10,000 crore for three big stations, namely New Delhi, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai and Ahmedabad Railway Stations," said the statement.

Redevelopment of railway stations

The standard elements of station design will be:

1. Every station will have a spacious roof plaza (36/72/108 m) with all passenger amenities at one place along with spaces for retail, cafeterias, recreational facilities.
2. Both sides of the city will be connected with the station, with the station building on both sides of Railway tracks.
3. Facilities like food court, waiting lounge, playing area for children, place for local products, etc will be available.

World Bank approves $245 million loan to modernise India's railway logistics infra

4. The stations located within the city will have a city center like place.

5. To make the stations comfortable, there will be proper illumination, way finding/signages, acoustics, lifts/escalators/travelators.

6. Master plan has been prepared for smooth movement of traffic, with adequate parking facilities.

7. There will be integration with other modes of transportation like metro, bus etc.
Green Building Techniques will be used, with solar energy, water conservation/recycling and improved tree cover.

8. Special care will be taken to provide Divyang friendly facilities.

9. These stations will be developed on the concept of intelligent building.

10. There will be segregation of arrival/departures, Clutter free platforms, improved surfaces, fully covered platforms.

11. The stations will be safe with installation of CCTV and access control.

12. These will be iconic station buildings.

(PSU Watch– India's Business News centre that places the spotlight on PSUs, Bureaucracy, Defence and Public Policy is now on Google News. Click here to follow. Also, join PSU Watch Channel in your Telegram. You may also follow us on Twitter here and stay updated.)