On 17 July 2026 the Prime Minister virtually inaugurated 75 redeveloped railway stations across 20 states under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme; Jalandhar Cantt was the anchor station, redeveloped at a cost of ₹125 crore.
Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
- Launch & administering body: Launched December 2022 by the Ministry of Railways for systematic station master‑planning.
- Coverage: Master planning for 1,338 identified stations across India, to be implemented in phases.
Redevelopment Features
- Accessibility: Lifts, escalators, ramps, tactile surfaces and accessible toilets for persons with disabilities.
- Amenity upgrades: Modern waiting halls, executive lounges, passenger information systems and free Wi‑Fi.
- Safety & surveillance: CCTV, improved lighting and public address systems.
- Urban integration: Redesigned circulation, enhanced entry/exit points and provision for multimodal last‑mile connectivity.
Progress & Operational Targets
- Completed (to March 12, 2026): 180 stations redeveloped.
- Targets: 400 stations by end‑2026; 700 stations by end‑2027.
- Notable stations in July 2026 batch: Hi‑Tech City (Telangana), Modi Nagar (Delhi NCR) and multiple stations in Karnataka and Kerala.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- Design principle: “Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi” — integration of local heritage motifs with contemporary infrastructure.
- Funding model: Central allocations supplemented by project‑specific budgets within Ministry of Railways.
- Operational approach: Anchor‑station model used for coordinated inaugurations and project visibility.