Bhubaneswar: The Indian Railways, as parts of its Amrit Station Scheme has undertaken redevelopment of various railway stations in the Western parts of Odisha. This redevelopment aims to transform key railway stations with modern facilities, enhancing the overall travel experience for passengers and promoting regional economic growth.
The redevelopment will focus on improving infrastructure, modernizing amenities, and ensuring seamless connectivity to support both passenger comfort and commercial growth. The selected stations in the western region of Odisha are expected to undergo significant enhancements in design, technology, and passenger services. The initiative is in line with the ongoing efforts to modernize the Indian Railway’s network and provide an efficient and user-friendly travel experience for all.
The Western Odisha region, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes, will benefit significantly from these upgrades. The stations undertaken in this redevelopment initiative include Rourkela, Bimalagarh, Rajgangpur, Panposh, Jharsuguda, Jharsuguda Road, Brajarajnagar, Belpahar, Sambalpur, Sambalpur City, Khariar Road, Hirakud, Kesinga, Bargarh Road, Barpali, Balangir, Titlagarh, Kantabanji, Harishankar Road, Bhawanipatna, Himgir.
The Indian Railways is committed to ensuring the timely completion of these projects, and work is set to commence in phases. The redevelopment project is expected to be completed in the coming few years.
Here’s an update on the progress of these stations:
Jharsuguda Road (₹18.77 cr.): Redevelopment of Jharsuguda Road Station with modern amenities for passengers and rail users. Development of Staff facility block, Improvement to Front Façade of existing building. Provision of 12 mtr. wide Foot Over Bridge. Improvement to Platform surface. Provision of 02 nos. of passenger lifts. Provision of additional 06 bays Platform Shelter at PF no. 1, 2 &3. Provision of Coach Indication Board & Train Indication Board. Digital Signage, Provision of Divyangjan facilities and modernised Toilets.
Brajarajnagar: Development of circulating area, Gardening & Landscaping, Drains, Laminated glass roofing, Terracotta wall tile cladding, Facade, Sand stone rebellion statue, Sand stone Konark Chakra, Odishi statue, False ceiling, Entrance Porch, Parking for 2 & 4 Wheeler, Development of Road, Wallpaper decoration, Reserved lounge wall paneling, etc.
Belpahar: Belpahar Railway Station is a railway station on the South East Central Railway network in the state of Odisha, India. It serves Belpahar town. Belpahar is a town and a municipality in Jharsuguda district in the state of Odisha, India Belpahar also has some nearby tourist attractions such as Koili Ghoghar (35 kilometres from Belpahar), Lal Pathar (8 km from Belpahar), Khadu (5 kilometres from Belpahar). Belpahar Population is 52,000 (estimated 2023). Works undertaken in redevelopment are Entry/Exit Gate, Garden & Landscaping, Digital Signage, Modern Toilets, CCTV, Facade, Murals/Paintings, False Ceiling and Wall Paneling in Concourse and 2nd Class Waiting Hall,. Platform Surfacing, Face Uplifting Lighting, Coach & Train Indication Boards, Entrance Porch, Parking for 2/4 Wheelers, Road work, Road lighting and High Mast Lights along with digital Signages.
Sambalpur City (₹23.76 cr.): Redevelopment of Sambalpur City Station with modern amenities includes improvement to Front Façade of existing building, provision of 12 mtr. wide Foot Over Bridge, improvement to Platform surface, provision of 02 nos. of passenger lifts, provision of additional 10 bays Platform Shelter at PF no. 1, 2 & 3 along with digital Signages, provision of Divyangjan facilities and improvement to modernized Toilets.
Khariar Road (₹16.25 Cr): Provision of New Station Building with modern amenities for passengers and rail users, Development of 2nd Entry side, Improvement to Front Façade of existing building, Provision of lifts, Improvement to platform surface with additional PF Shelters, Standard signage, Coach Indication Boards, GPS-enabled digital clocks, Provision of Divyangjan facilities and improvement to modernized Toilets.
Hirakud (₹22.87 Cr): Redevelopment of Hirakud Station with modern amenities for passengers and rail users. Improvement to Front Façade of existing building. Provision of 12 mtr. wide Foot Over Bridge. Improvement to Platform surface. Provision of 02 nos. of passenger lifts. Provision of additional 12 bays Platform Shelter at PF no. 1, 2 &3. Provision of Coach Indication Boards. Standard Signage, Provision of Divyangjan facilities and improvement to modernized Toilets.
Kesinga (₹20.85 Cr): Development of 2nd Entry, Improvement to Front Façade of existing building, Provision of 12 mtr. wide Foot Over Bridge (FOB), Improvement to Platform surface, Provision of lifts, Provision of additional 38 bays Platform Shelters, digital Signage, Provision of Divyangjan facilities, Improvement to Toilets and modern amenities have been planned.
Bargarh Road (₹23.84 cr.): Redevelopment of station with modern passenger amenities. Improvement to Front Façade of existing building. Provision of 12 mtr. wide Foot Over Bridge. Provision of 2 nos. of passenger lifts. Improvement to platform surface. Provision of additional 15 bays Platform Shelter at Platform no. 1 and 2&3 and digital signage, Provision of Divyangjan facilities along with modern Toilets.
Barpali (₹20.88 Cr): TOTAL COST: Redevelopment of station with modern passenger amenities. Improvement to Front Façade of existing building. Provision of 12 mtr. wide Foot Over Bridge. Provision of Coach Indication Board. Improvement to Platform Shelters. Provision of additional 12 bays Platform Shelter at PF 1, 2&3. Standard signage, Provision of Coach Indication Boards Provision of Divyangjan facilities along with modern Toilets.
Balangir (₹18.01 Cr): A New Station Building with modern Passenger Amenities, Improvement to Front Façade of Existing Building, Additional Platform Shelters, Provision of 12 mtr. wide Foot Over Bridge , Improvement to platform surface, Waiting Rooms, Lifts, Circulating Areas, Parking Areas, Standard Signages, Provision of Divyangjan facilities, Improvement to Toilets and Provision of Sewage Treatment Plant with Overhead Tank and pipe line.
Titlagarh (₹35.79 Cr): Redevelopment of Station with provision of 2nd Entry, Improvement to Front Façade of Existing Station Building, Provision of 12 mtr. wide Foot Over Bridge (FOB), Improvement to Platform surface, Provision of additional 20 Bays Platform Shelter, Provision of three Lifts, Waiting Halls, Standard Signages, Sewage Treatment Plant with Over Head Tank and pipe line connection, Provision of Divyangjan facilities , Circulating area, parking area Improvement to Toilets.
Kantabanji (₹33.87 Cr): Development of Second entry point, Improvement to Front Façade of existing building , Provision of 12 mtr. wide Foot Over Bridge (FOB), Provision of lifts, Improvement to Platform surface, Raising of platforms, additional 22-bay platform shelters, Provision of Divyangjan, facilities, Improvement to Toilets and Sewage Treatment Plant with Over Head Tank and pipe line connection.
Harishankar Road (₹16.66 Cr): Redevelopment of station with modern amenities for passengers and rail users., Development of 2nd Entry, Improvement to Front Façade of existing building, Provision of extension of 03 mtr. wide Foot Over Bridge, Upgrades include 3 lifts, Improvement to Platform surface & additional 20 bays Platform Shelter, Standard Signage, Coach Indication Boards, Provision of Divyangjan facilities and Improvement to Toilets.
Bhawanipatna (₹18.83 Cr): Redevelopment of station with modern amenities for passengers and rail users, Improvement to Front Façade of existing building, Provision of Lift, Improvement to Platform surface with PF Shelter, Standard Signage, Provision of Divyangjan facilities, Raising of platforms and modernized toilets are key elements.
Bimalagarh (₹9.69 Cr.): Redevelopment of station with modern amenities for passengers and rail users with soft upgradation and facilities for Divyangjan, Improvement to High level Platform surface with PF Shelter, connecting road, Station Building and façade, etc.
Rajgangpur (₹37.65 Cr.): Redevelopment of station with modern amenities for passengers and rail users., Improvement to Front Facade of existing building, Provision of extension of 12 mtr. wide Foot Over Bridge, Upgrades include 3 lifts & 3 Escalators, Improvement to Platform surface & additional bays Platform Shelter, Provision of Divyangjan facilities and Improvement to Toilets.
Panposh (₹14.22 Cr.): Redevelopment of station with modern amenities for passengers and rail users., Improvement to Front Facade of existing building, Upgrades include 2 lifts, Improvement to Platform surface & additional bays Platform Shelter, Provision of Divyangjan facilities and Improvement to Toilets.
Sanction of estimates, hiring consultants and plan under revision are under progress for Jharsuguda, Himgiri, Rourkela and Sambalpur Railway Stations. Redevelopment of the above Stations will be done with with modern Passenger Amenities for the passengers and Rail Users. Apart from this, Provision of 2nd Entry, Improvement to Front Facade of Existing Station Buildings, Provision of 12 mtr. wide Foot Over Bridge (FOB), Improvement to Platform surface, Provision of additional Bays Platform Shelter, Provision of Lifts/Escalators, Waiting Halls, Standard Signages, Sewage Treatment Plant with Over Head Tank and pipe line connection, Provision of Divyangjan facilities, Circulating area, parking area Improvement to Toilets will also included in Station redevelopment plan.
The redevelopment of railway stations under the Amrit Stations Scheme in Odisha is a significant step towards modernizing the region’s railway infrastructure. With a focus on enhancing passenger amenities, improving accessibility, and incorporating sustainable design, these upgrades will not only elevate the travel experience but also contribute to the economic growth of the region. The integration of modern facilities like lifts, escalators, advanced security systems, and eco-friendly initiatives will make stations more efficient and user-friendly. As these projects progress, the revamped stations will play a pivotal role in connecting Odisha’s rich cultural and natural heritage to a broader audience, while also boosting tourism and regional development. The future of railway travel in Odisha looks promising, with enhanced infrastructure and services to support both passengers and the local economy.
