In a recent media briefing held at the Eastern Railway Headquarters, General Manager Milind K Deouskar shed light on the ongoing development initiatives within the Eastern Railway and the broader enhancements across Indian Railways. The focus primarily centered on station redevelopment and the construction of Road Overbridges (ROBs) and underpasses to bolster infrastructure.
Deouskar announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for 28 stations across the Eastern Railway region, amounting to a total cost of Rs 704 crore. This step aligns with the vision of ‘Viksit Rail, Viksit Bharat 2047’, a comprehensive plan aimed at modernizing and revitalizing India’s railway network.
Highlighting previous efforts, Deouskar mentioned that Prime Minister Modi had kickstarted the redevelopment of 508 stations under the ‘Amrit Bharat Station Scheme’ across 27 states on August 6, 2023. Building on this momentum, the upcoming foundation stone laying ceremony for 28 Eastern Railway stations signifies a continuation of this transformative scheme.
Among the stations mentioned for redevelopment is Bandel, where plans are underway for a significant transformation into a world-class station boasting modern facilities. The estimated cost for this redevelopment stands at Rs 307 crore.
The General Manager underscored the Eastern Railway’s substantial strides in infrastructure development. Notable accomplishments include the successful completion and commissioning of the Rampurhat – Murarai 3rd Line, spanning 29.48 KM, on December 21, 2023.
Deouskar also highlighted recent achievements, such as the inauguration of a 2-lane section (Kumardubi – Mugma) and the construction of 13 ROBs in the current financial year. The Eastern Railway’s commitment lies in providing passengers with modern amenities and world-class facilities in accordance with global standards.
Detailing the ‘Amrit Bharat Station Scheme’, Deouskar explained its focus on continuous station development with a long-term approach. This includes the creation and implementation of Master Plans to enhance various amenities such as station access, waiting areas, toilets, lift/escalators, cleanliness, free Wi-Fi, local product kiosks, passenger information systems, executive lounges, and spaces for business meetings.
Plans for upgraded facilities under the scheme were outlined for selected stations in Sealdah, Howrah, Asansol, and Malda divisions.
Turning to safety measures, Deouskar reiterated the Eastern Railway’s commitment to replacing manned level crossing gates with underpasses. He noted the completion of 11 underpasses and plans for 22 more at a cost of Rs. 123.52 crores.
In West Bengal specifically, 10 underpasses are in the pipeline, with the Prime Minister scheduled to lay the Foundation Stone for 4 of them, while 6 will be dedicated to the Nation. These strategic placements aim to ease movement for both rail passengers and road users, especially given the significant number of level crossings – 1017 in Eastern Railway, with 844 in West Bengal alone.
In conclusion, Deouskar mentioned the Prime Minister’s impending foundation stone laying for a total of 1585 underpasses across Indian Railways, with 31 falling under Eastern Railway’s jurisdiction. These underpasses are designed to accommodate carts loaded with produce, enhancing convenience for villagers and ensuring smooth passage across railway tracks.
