PM virtually inaugurates redeveloped Baijnath Paprola station of Jammu Rly division

Jammu, May 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday virtually inaugurated redeveloped Baijnath Paprola Railway Station of Jammu Railway division along with 102 other redeveloped Amrit Stations.

While referring to advancements in road, railway, air transport and iconic infrastructure created across the country in the past one decade or so, PM on this occasion also mentioned worldís highest railway arch bridge over river Chenab in Reasi district. Bridge is part of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.

One hundred and three redeveloped Amrit Stations, in 86 districts across 18 States and Union Territories of India, were developed at a cost of over Rs 1,100 Cr.

They were among multiple development projects worth Rs 26,000 Cr which the Prime Minister virtually inaugurated or initiated by laying the foundation stone in Bikaner, Rajasthan during the day.

Notably, under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, over 1,300 stations are being redeveloped with modern facilities, designed to reflect regional architecture and enhance passenger amenities.

The enhancements under the scheme encompassed bettering station accessibility, waiting areas, toilet facilities, lift and escalator installations as needed, cleanliness, offering free high-speed Wi-Fi, water ATM, food court and shopping areas.

The revamped station will have special facilities for individuals with disabilities (Divyangjans) with the provisions of ramps at the entry, ëSulabh Shachalayaí well-equipped with wheel-chairs; dedicated water-booth, braille facility and Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) etc.

All the facilities aim at enhancing the travelling experience of railway passengers.

Highlighting the ongoing transformation of India's infrastructure, emphasizing the nation's commitment to modernization, the Prime Minister pointed to the rapid advancements in roads, airports, railways, and railway stations over the past 11 years. ìIndia is now investing six times more in infrastructure development compared to previous years, a progress that has captured global attention,î he remarked, pointing out iconic infrastructure projects across the country, citing the remarkable Chenab bridge in the north, the Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, and the Bogibeel Bridge in Assam in the east.

Baijnath Paprola Railway Station is in the scenic Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh and comes under newly created Jammu Railway Division.

On January 6 this year, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had virtually inaugurated the Jammu Railway Division, stating that it would not only benefit the entire J&K but Ladakh and many cities of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh as well, bolstering the economy and generating job avenues besides improving connectivity.

Jammu Railway Division comprises five sections viz., Bhogpur Sirwal-Pathankot; Batala-Pathankot; Pathankot-Joginder Nagar; Pathankot-Jammu- Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Udhampur Railway Station and Srinagar-Baramulla.

Combined length of the section is 742-1 km.

Following creation of Jammu Railway Division, presently Jammu Railway Station modernisation and expansion project is underway and is likely to be completed by August-September this year.

Emphasising India's continuous efforts to modernize its railway network, PM Thursday underlined the introduction of Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Namo Bharat trains as symbols of the country's new speed and progress.

He stated that the modernization of more than 1,300 railway stations was being carried out to improve passenger experience.

ìThe modernised railway stations have been named Amrit Bharat Stations and over 100 such stations have been completed. Social media users have witnessed the striking transformation of these stations, which serve as showcases of local art and history,î he said.

The Prime Minister underscored that these Amrit Bharat Stations would not only preserve Indiaís thousands-of-years-old heritage but would also serve as catalysts for tourism growth across states, creating new employment opportunities for youth. He urged the people to ensure the cleanliness and safety of the stations as they were the true owners of these infrastructure.