The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: The scheme will aim to fulfil the needs of the stakeholders, the station utilisation studies as far as is feasible based on the money and priorities, and it will take into account the introduction of new amenities as well as the upkeep and replacement of existing ones.

Why is Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in news?

• 27th December 2022-: The Railways Ministry announced on that it has developed a new strategy for modernising stations called the “Amrit Bharat Station Scheme ” 
• Improving facilities of Various Stations – Including and beyond the Minimum Essential Amenities, based on long-term planning and implementation of the master plan parts as per the demands and patronage of the station (MEA).
• In the long run, it aims to build roof plazas and city center’s at the station.

Long Term Approach of Amrit Bharat Station Scheme 

The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme plan calls for the continual development of stations with a long-term outlook.The program’s objective is to create railroad station master plans and implement them gradually to improve the facilities.

• There will be an effort to group various waiting rooms by grades or categories, and good dining and retail facilities will be offered, if at all practicable.
• High level platforms (760–840 millimetres) must be available.- At all stations, To provide easy access, station approaches must be enhanced. 
• Including- :  Widening roads, removing obtrusive structures, installing correctly designed signage, creating designated pedestrian walkways, organizing parking areas, upgrading lighting, etc.
• Station amenities for Divyangjan must follow rules periodically issued by the Railway Board.

Concerned Ministry :Amrit Bharat Station Scheme –

The “Amrit Bharat Station Scheme ” project is a new policy that the Ministry of Railways has developed for station upgrading. The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme envisions the continuing development of stations with a long-term outlook. It is based on long-term master planning, with aspects of the plan being implemented in accordance with the demands and patronage of the station.

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme Broad Objectives

• Master Plan -: The plan intends to develop master plans for railroad stations, implement them in stages to improve the facilities, including those above the Minimum Essential Amenities (MEA), and eventually build Roof Plazas and city centres at the station.
• Accomadating Station Utilization – The plan must try to accommodate station utilisation studies and stakeholder needs as much as feasible given financial constraints and inter-se priorities.
• The plan will cover the addition of new amenities as well as their improvement and replacement.
• Amrit Bharat Station Scheme – Will also apply to stations where thorough techno-economic feasibility studies have been or are being done, but where work on building Roof Plazas has not yet begun.
• Master Plan’s phasing – Is properly carried out and that the relocation of structures and utilities is given more weight in the phasing plans.

Hoarding Contains Vital information regarding Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

For the display of significant information, etc., at least one attractive hoarding (signage) must be built on each side of the circulating area. Such hoardings must be at least 10 by 20 meters in size.

The station approaches would be made better to enable easy access by enlarging the roads, demolishing unneeded buildings, installing properly-designed signage, creating designated pedestrian routes, organising parking areas, and upgrading lighting.

How to Achieve the Above Objects- Amrit Bharat Station Scheme 

The Master Plans will include basic information about the best placement for the future Roof Plaza.The plan calls for adding large, well-lit entrance porches and improving facades in a way that is both economical and visually pleasant.

Additional Measures to be Undertaken – Achieving Amrit Bharat Station Scheme 

• High level platforms (760–840 mm) must be available. The platforms must normally be 600 meters long, Platform lines and routes with train servicing facilities would have tracks without ballast.
• To the greatest extent practicable, self-cleaning of drains must be achieved– Where natural slopes are insufficient, appropriate cross drains, sump arrangements, and pump arrangements may be provided. 
• Free WiFi Connection – Provisions may be implemented to ensure that the station offers its users free WiFi connection as much as possible. The Master Plan ought to designate appropriate locations for 5G towers
• Material Element Finish – In the public spaces of the station, the material finishes of elements, such as floors, walls, structures, furniture, sanitary fittings, etc., should be extremely durable , typically dustproof, and require little care.

Who Benefit from this scheme 

• Traveling individuals between the age of 15-45– Will utilize traveling from various train stations in India . Benefit is essentially provided to the student as well as working class of individuals.
• Interlinking various cities – Students as well as working class of people comprising of  businessmen essentially travel to their jobs via train 
• Proper Amenities are Provided – The age group between 15-45 are provided sanitation, toilets as well as proper led fitted in the train.
• Improving Travel Experience-: Free WiFi Connection,self-cleaning of drains, high level of platform is provided

Future Way Forward – Achieving Amrit Bharat Station Scheme 

Hoarding Signs should have good visibility, be aesthetically beautiful, and be well-designed for easy path finding. Public announcement systems’ quality needs to be raised, The furniture in waiting areas, platforms, retiring rooms, and offices has to be assessed, escalators may be offered at NSG/1-4 and SG/1-2 category stations.Station amenities for Divyangjan must follow rules periodically issued by the Railway Board.The passengers of trains passing through the station should have adequate sight on at least two LED-based station name boards.

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