Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated 75 redeveloped railway stations across 20 states on July 17, 2026, under the ambitious Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The main event was centered at the newly revamped Jalandhar Cantt Railway Station in Punjab, which underwent a significant facelift at a cost of approximately 125 crore rupees. Beyond the station upgrades, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for rail and road infrastructure projects totaling over 5,470 crore rupees and flagged off two new express services: the Amritsar (Chheharta)-Varanasi Express and the Kartoli Punjab-Ambala Express. Notably, India’s first hydrogen-powered train was also flagged off from Jind, Haryana, marking a milestone in sustainable travel.
Key highlights include:
- 75 railway stations inaugurated across 20 states.
- Launch of infrastructure projects worth 5,470 crore rupees.
- Flagging off of the Amritsar-Varanasi Express and Kartoli Punjab-Ambala Express.
- Debuting India’s first hydrogen-powered train from Jind.
- Total investment of over 71,000 crore rupees allocated for 1,340 stations.
Modernizing the Indian Railway Network
Launched in December 2022, the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is designed to transform 1,338 stations nationwide. Following the philosophy of “Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi” (Heritage and Development), the redevelopment focuses on blending modern amenities with local cultural aesthetics. Passengers can now expect significantly improved facilities, including wider concourses, modernized waiting rooms, executive lounges, and enhanced accessibility features such as lifts, escalators, and facilities for persons with disabilities.
Safety and efficiency remain at the core of these upgrades, with the installation of CCTV surveillance, free Wi-Fi, and digital information systems. Furthermore, operational infrastructure like pit lines for train maintenance has been added at key locations such as Jaisalmer to ensure smoother long-distance operations.
Future Roadmap for Station Redevelopment
As of March 2026, 180 stations have already completed their redevelopment. The Ministry of Railways has set an aggressive target to complete the modernization of 400 stations by the end of 2026, with an additional 700 stations slated for completion by the end of 2027. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and various state representatives attended the simultaneous nationwide ceremonies, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing the passenger experience across the Indian Railways network.