Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Mandeep Singh Bhatia said that the railways will undertake several modernization works at the station “as place of tourist importance” with an initial fund of ₹13.51 crore in the first phase: According to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Amrit Bharat Stations initiative, which was introduced by the Union Government on August 3, the Ambala train Division is scheduled to start renovation work at the Shimla train station, a UNESCO global heritage.

Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Mandeep Singh Bhatia stated that the railways will undertake various modernization works at the station “as place of tourist importance” with an initial fund of ₹13.51 crore in the first phase.

Additionally, estimates are being developed to upgrade the 17 stations on the UNESCO-protected Kalka-Shimla train line in terms of structural integrity. Although we were able to fully resume services earlier this month, the portion sustained significant damage during this monsoon, Bhatia said HT.

In order to improve station amenities, such as clean restrooms, elevators, escalators, free Wi-Fi, kiosks for local products through initiatives like “One Station One Product,” improved passenger information systems, executive lounges, designated spaces for business meetings, landscaping, etc., officials said that the program entails preparing master plans and implementing them gradually.

According to them, better parking spaces, waiting places, refreshment counters, coach guidance systems, and other features will all be covered by upgraded civil and electrical works.

According to the DRM, the creation of amenities for passenger comfort, building structure cleaning and soft upgrades, height improvement, and an entry gate with appropriate illumination are all included in this.

In the first phase, the division is currently modernizing fifteen stations: Amb Andaura in Himachal Pradesh; Kalka, Yamunanagar-Jagadhri, and Ambala City in Haryana; Malerkotla, Patiala, Sirhind, SAS Nagar Mohali, Dhuri, Abohar, Anandpur Sahib, Nangal Dam, Rupnagar, and Sangrur in Punjab; and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Shimla brings the total to 16 once she joins the list.

On August 3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi essentially lay the groundwork for the nation’s 509 Amrit Bharat Stations, officially initiating the renovation.

Source- Hindustan times