PM MODI LAYS FOUNDATION TO RAILWAY PROJECTS IN JHARKHAND WORTH ₹1,000 CR

JAMSHEDPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, laid the foundation of the redevelopment project of the new building of the Tatanagar station worth ₹335 crore under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme.

Under the scheme, the Union government will undertake the redevelopment of 18 stations and 44 other rail infrastructure projects worth over ₹1,000 crore in Jharkhand.

The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation for the redevelopment project of 553 rail stations worth ₹19,000 crore and other rail infrastructure projects worth ₹21,520 crore across the country online.

“With 2000 projects being launched in one go, India is set to witness a mega transformation of its railway infrastructure. Whatever India does today, it does on an unprecedented speed and scale. We dream big and work tirelessly to realize them. This resolve is visible in this ‘Viksit Bharat, Viksit Railway’ programme. The youths have the maximum right to decide how Viksit Bharat will unfold. Amrit Bharat stations are symbols of both Vikas (Development) and Virasat (Heritage). Before 2014, the railway budget used to be ₹45,000 crore. We have raised it to ₹2.50 lakh crore,” the Prime Minister said.

He said the youths and traditional craftsmen would benefit most from the increasing railway infrastructure, dedicated freight corridors, and one-station-one product concept and tourism industry providing markets to people.

Jharkhand governor CP Radhakrishnan praised Prime Minister Modi for his vision evident in the rapid expansion of railway infrastructure, high-speed rail network, providing employment, and increasing business, industrial, and tourism opportunities in the country as in Jharkhand.

South Eastern Railway (SER) general manager (GM) Anil Kumar Mishra said that the Tatanagar station would be redeveloped into a city centre with airport-like facilities at ₹335 crore.

“It will be spread over 90,000 sq. meters or 3.50 lakh sq. feet. The DPR has been prepared by Delhi-based Design Accord Consultant that will see a shopping complex, mall, huge parking, subway, escalator, three-storey new building, circular roads, food court, gaming zone, eight platforms, air-conditioned lounge, waiting rooms, etc.,” the general manager said.

He said that ₹578 crore would be spent on redeveloping 18 stations, including Chaibasa, Chakradharpur, Badampahar, etc., and ₹546.01 crore on 44 road over bridges and road under bridges under SER. Dhanbad division would also see projects worth ₹226 crore.