Latest news with #AmritBharatStationScheme
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Time of India
Idgah Agra junction to replace Agra Fort as stop for 12 trains
Agra: Around 12 pairs of trains will now stop at Idgah Agra Junction instead of their earlier halt at Agra Fort Station, said Agra Division, days after its redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. According to a statement from the Agra Division, the following trains will now halt at Idgah Agra Junction: (12307/12308) Howrah Junction – Jodhpur / Jodhpur – Howrah Junction Superfast Express, (22307/22308) Howrah Junction – Bikaner Junction / Bikaner – Howrah Junction Express, (15269/15270) Muzaffarpur Junction – Sabarmati Junction / Sabarmati – Muzaffarpur Junction, (12946/12945) Banaras Junction – Veraval Junction / Veraval – Banaras Junction, (12395/12396) Rajendra Nagar Terminal – Ajmer Junction / Ajmer – Rajendra Nagar Terminal, (22970/22969) Banaras Junction – Okha / Okha – Banaras Junction, (12948/12947) Patna Junction – Ahmedabad / Ahmedabad – Patna Junction, (12942/12941) Asansol – Bhavnagar Terminus / Bhavnagar Terminus – Asansol, (15636/15635) Guwahati – Okha / Okha – Guwahati, (15668/15667) Kamakhya Junction – Gandhidham Junction / Gandhidham – Kamakhya Junction, (12938/12937) Howrah Junction – Gandhidham Junction / Gandhidham – Howrah Junction, (12315/12316) Kolkata – Udaipur / Udaipur – Kolkata. Nine of these trains operate via Prayagraj Junction. Agra Division PRO Prashasti Srivastava said, "Currently, 20 express and passenger trains stop at Idgah Agra Railway Station. With this move, 12 more pairs are being added. We are also developing Idgah Station with additional amenities such as a washing pit, so that trains can originate from this station. Luxury trains like the Palace on Wheels and Maharaja Express also halt here. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Rugas no pescoço? Esse truque caseiro pode ajudar (Tente isso hoje à noite) Revista & Saúde Saiba Mais Undo In the future, Idgah Station is expected to serve as a central station in the city. " Located near the Agra collectorate area, Idgah Station is considered more accessible than Agra Fort Station, especially in terms of connectivity and parking. Shuvam Bajapayee, a resident, told TOI, "This is a welcome move. Idgah Station has ample parking space and is easily accessible. I hope it will soon be equipped with escalators and lifts, like Agra Fort and Agra Cantt Stations, to make movement between platforms easier. The authorities must also address the issue of unauthorised money collection at stations, which is a common concern for passengers." On May 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the renovated Idgah Agra Junction, unveiling development projects worth Rs 12.8 crore. The upgrades include expansion and modernisation of the main and secondary station buildings, construction of a new foot overbridge, improved toilet facilities, divyangjan (differently-abled) parking, and installation of digital signage systems.
India.com
a day ago
- Politics
- India.com
This is the only Indian state that provides advanced facilities to railway passengers, not Delhi, UP, Maharashtra, MP, Karnataka, name is....
Indian Railways: When we think of getting the facilities of the three high-tech trains of Indian Railways, the names of states that come to mind are Delhi, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. But the fact is that Bihar is the only state in the entire country where the facilities of the Vande Bharat Express, Amrit Bharat Train, and Namo Bharat Rapid Rail are being provided. Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity in the Railway Board, said that the Vande Bharat Express, Amrit Bharat Train, and Namo Bharat Rapid Rail are the Triveni of the modern railway system. Bihar is the only state that has services of all three categories of trains. 2 Amrit Bharat Trains In Bihar Kumar said that apart from Vande Bharat Express, two Amrit Bharat trains are being operated in the state for the convenience of the passengers. The first Amrit Bharat Express runs from Darbhanga to Anand Vihar and the second one provides service from Saharsa to Mumbai. Namo Bharat Rapid Rail India's second Vande Bharat Express train is now running between Jaynagar and Patna, a senior railway official announced. Simultaneously, Bihar is undergoing extensive railway station upgrades under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, focusing on 98 stations. Two stations, Pirpainti and Thawe, have already completed renovations. PM Modi Inaugurated 103 Amrit Bharat Stations Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently opened 103 railway stations nationwide as part of the Amrit Bharat Station development initiative. Ongoing renovations under this scheme encompass several key stations, including Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga, and Muzaffarpur. 'The stations where work is currently going on under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme include stations like Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur,' Kumar said.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Persons with disabilities find access to St. Thomas Mount station difficult
The St. Thomas Mount Railway station has undergone a makeover of sorts with an emphasis on improving passenger amenities. The initiative is part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) project. The railway stations in the city that were constructed decades ago, and have since witnessed improvements in passenger amenities only in piecemeal, have undergone welcome changes, particularly with regard to the appearance of railway stations redeveloped and inaugurated under the ABSS. A total of 15 railway stations are under various stages of redevelopment under ABSS. The redeveloped station has an air-conditioned ticket counter, foot overbridges (FOBs), escalators, shelters, paved parking facility and newly built public conveniences, making commuters wonder if the stations were competing with metro stations. The redeveloped St. Thomas Mount railway station, which was inaugurated along with Sullurpetta by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 22, has, however, been a disappointment for persons with disabilities (PwDs). with regard to accessibility. S. Jayalakshmi, a person with disability, using the Mount railway station, lamented that the newly constructed ticket counter was located at the entrance of the station on Medavakkam Main Road, and the FOB with escalator near Karikalan street, at a distance that PwDs and senior citizens find difficult to cover. While the FOB had been linked to all the six platforms, the Metro, and the upcoming Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) stations, the escalators were, most of the time, not functioning, she said. Vaishnavi Jayakumar, a member of the Freedom Movement Coalition (FMC), said the first redeveloped ABSS station remains inaccessible to PwDs because of various deficiencies. She said the ramp to the ticket counter was paved with polished granite, rendering it unsafe, the platform height of suburban stations had not been increased, resulting in a huge gap, and the station lacked a designated parking space for PwDs. She failure to construct a ramped FOB despite ample space availability, absence of lowered ticket counter, and paved parking would pose severe hardships to passengers with reduced mobility. Also there is nodesignated parking. Ms. Jayakumar said that despite the FMC reaching out to the divisional railway manager in 2022 to ensure that stations were made accessible, neither was an accessibility consultant engaged, nor were detailed design drawings or plans shared. The commuters also wanted shelters along with seats to be installed at platforms 4 and 5. where the air conditioned train is normally stopped. A senior official of Southern Railway regarding the absence of escalators in certain platforms said a escalator connecting platforms 4 and 5 is being installed. An official of the Southern Railway said the redevelopment of the station is an evolving process and the complaints the accessibility would be addressed in the coming months.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
New rail lines in M.P. will boost freight movement and tourism, says Railways Minister
Union Minister for Railways, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday (May 29, 2025) shared key details of the recently approved Third and Fourth Rail Line project between Ratlam and Nagda in Madhya Pradesh. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had earlier cleared the ₹1,018 crore project aimed at easing congestion on this high-density corridor. Addressing a press briefing in New Delhi, Mr. Vaishnaw said the 41.4-km section, once four-lined, will reduce line capacity utilisation in the Ratlam area from 116% to 65%. The corridor, which connects major junctions such as Nagda (North), Vadodara (South), Indore (East), and Chittorgarh (West), will significantly improve regional and inter-state connectivity, he said. The Minister added that the project would enhance freight movement from Madhya Pradesh to key West Coast ports such as Kandla, Mundra, Pipavav, Hazira, Dahej, JNPA, and the upcoming Vadhavan Port. 'It will directly benefit Indore SEZ, Chhindwara SEZ, MMPL Indore, MMLP Bhopal, the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor, and key industrial hubs such as the Nagda Thermal Power Plant and associated viscose and chemical industries in the Ratlam region,' he said. The upgraded infrastructure is expected to expedite the movement of coal, containers, petroleum products, and agricultural produce, Mr. Vaishnaw noted. He also said that improved connectivity will facilitate tourism in Madhya Pradesh, providing better access to destinations such as Khajuraho, Gwalior, Kanha National Park, Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, Sanchi Stupa, Ujjain, Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Amarkantak, and Bhim Janmabhoomi. Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 80 railway stations in Madhya Pradesh are being redeveloped with enhanced passenger amenities, modern facilities, and improved aesthetics, he said. In response to growing passenger demand and persistent waiting lists for the Dr. Ambedkar Nagar–New Delhi Superfast Express, Mr. Vaishnaw announced three new train services. These include a Rewa–Pune service via Jabalpur and Satna, a Jabalpur–Raipur service via Nainpur, Balaghat, and Gondia, and a Gwalior–Bengaluru service via Guna and Bhopal. Operations are expected to commence within the next two months. On the preparations for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028 in Ujjain, the Minister said the Ministry of Railways has initiated comprehensive planning to manage the anticipated influx of pilgrims.
Mint
2 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Amrit Bharat boost: Stocks to benefit from station modernisation
For FY25, Indian Railways allocated ₹12,994 crore for 'customer amenities". This includes funding for station redevelopment projects like the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS). The scheme intends to upgrade and modernise over 1,300 stations across the country. It involves creating master plans and executing them in phases to enhance various station facilities, including station accessibility, waiting areas, toilets, lift and escalator installations, free Wi-Fi, kiosks for local products through initiatives like 'One Station, One Product', passenger information systems, executive lounges, spaces for business meetings, landscaping, and unique requirements of each station. With a vision to transform railway stations into vibrant urban centres, the state-run companies in the railway sector will play a crucial role, making them attractive for long-term investors. Also Read: Four stocks to watch as India's space economy eyes $44 billion by 2033 This article highlights a few stocks that will benefit from Indian Railways' Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Have a look... Ircon International Ltd Ircon International Ltd (IRCON) commenced its business in 1976 as a railway construction company. It was awarded the Navratna status by the department of public enterprises, ministry of finance, in October 2023. It offers comprehensive project management and consultancy (PMC) services from planning to commissioning in the entire spectrum of projects for the construction of railway sidings, highways, railways, and roads over bridges, buildings, etc. Ircon's service portfolio includes engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services, which align with the ABSS mission to modernise 1,300 railway stations across India. The company has completed about 400 infrastructure projects in India and 128 projects in 25 countries globally, including Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Turkey, Malaysia, Nigeria, Brazil, etc. It has a huge client base, including NHAI, BHEL, Delhi Metro, Indian Oil, NTPC, NMDC, Power Grid Corporation of India, Nigerian Railway, Bangladesh Railway, Zambia Railways, etc. Recently, the company has secured a contract of ₹253 crore from South Western Railway for the implementation of KAVACH, an indigenous train collision avoidance system. Also Read: Four fast-growing space stocks to add to your watchlist Its revenue grew at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.1% over the past three years, while its net profit grew at a CAGR of 33.5%. The company maintained strong financial health, with an average RoE of 14.4% and RoCE of 17.3%. Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd Incorporated in 2003 by the Government of India, it is engaged in the business of implementing various types of rail infrastructure projects assigned by the ministry of railways (MoR). This includes doubling, gauge conversion, new lines, railway electrification, major bridges, workshops, production units and sharing of freight revenue with the railways as per the concession agreement with the MoR. Anticipated turnover for the coming years is projected at ₹ ₹28,000-30,000 crore annually, with a gestation period of three to four years for project execution. Infrastructure projects like Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station redevelopment, worth ₹439 crore and electrification projects of the Southern Railway, worth ₹143 crore, are a demonstration of RVNL's capability to handle large-scale infrastructure developments. This makes the company a strong contender for future ABSS-related assignments. In Q4 FY25, RVNL secured new orders worth ₹6,600 crore, bringing the total order inflow for FY25 to ₹13,700 crore. Indian Railway Finance Corp. Ltd (IRFC) Incorporated in 1986, IRFC borrows funds from the financial markets to finance the acquisition/creation of assets, which are then leased out to Indian Railways as a finance lease. Also Read: This luggage leader is staging a turnaround. But can it overcome its baggage? It is the funding arm of Indian Railways, which provides loans to various companies working in the sector, such as RVNL, Konkan Railway Corp. Ltd, IRCON, RailTel Corp. of India Ltd, Pipavav Railway Corp. Ltd, etc. The company is exploring opportunities to invest in railway infrastructure projects, including dedicated freight lines, high-speed rail corridors, and multi-modal logistics parks. The company received the Navratna status in FY25 and is working towards Maharatna status. Recently, the company secured government approval to raise up to ₹10,000 crore for its infrastructure projects through deep-discount bonds. Its revenue grew at a CAGR of 19.1% over the past three years, while its net profit grew at a CAGR of 13.2%. The company maintained strong financial health, with an average RoE of 13.9%. RailTel Corp. of India Incorporated in 2000, the company creates nationwide broadband and VPN services, telecom, and multimedia networks to modernise Indian Railways' train control operation and safety system. It is a Navratna public sector undertaking and one of the largest neutral telecom infrastructure providers in India, owning a pan-India optic fibre cable network (OFC), which can serve up to 70% of the country's population. Its RailWire broadband service has over 580,000 subscribers. It has executed critical projects of national importance such as BharatNet, National Knowledge Network (NKN), railway signalling, etc. The ABSS emphasises the enhancement of passenger amenities, including the provision of free Wi-Fi, digital signage, and advanced information systems. RailTel, with its extensive optical fiber network covering is well-positioned to implement and manage these digital services. Its revenue grew at a CAGR of 23.1% over the past three years, while its net profit grew at a CAGR of 20%. The company maintained strong financial health, with an average RoE of 12.9% and RoCE of 18%. Conclusion The ABSS scheme offers a unique opportunity to strengthen the role of these railway PSUs in India's rail infrastructure growth. IRCON and RVNL will gain through increased project execution, construction, and engineering opportunities. Also Read: Trent's 1,000% rally takes a breather. Can a Sensex rejig revive its fortunes? IRFC will gain through supporting the large-scale financing needs of Indian Railways' expanding asset base. RailTel will play a key role in providing the digital backbone, smart station technologies, and passenger connectivity services. However, one factor to keep in mind is that any change in budget priorities, political shifts, or delays in project approvals can directly hit their financials. Investors should evaluate the company's fundamentals, corporate governance, and valuations of the stock before making any investment decisions. Happy Investing. Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such. This article is syndicated from
