Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Railways has launched the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for continuous, long-term station development, including Podanur Railway Station. 1337 stations have been identified for development under this scheme. Development works are underway in the Salem division, with the Samalpatti railway station already completed. A new coaching terminal at Podanur Junction has been sanctioned at a cost of 98.67 Crore.
Key Points / Main Content:
Amrit Bharat Station Scheme:
* Focuses on continuous station development with a long-term approach.
* Involves phased implementation of master plans to improve station amenities.
* Includes improvements to station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, lifts/escalators, platform surfacing, cover over platforms, cleanliness, free WiFi, kiosks for local products (One Station One Product), passenger information systems, executive lounges, business meeting spaces, and landscaping.
* Envisages improved buildings, integration with both sides of the city, multimodal integration, amenities for Divyangjans, sustainable and environment-friendly solutions, ballastless tracks, and creation of city centers (long term).
Implementation & Scope:
* 1337 stations, including Podanur Railway Station (Salem division, Southern Railway), are identified for development.
* 16 stations in the Salem division are included in the scheme (list provided in original document).
* Development works in the Salem division are progressing, with Samalpatti railway station completed.
Funding:
* Development/Upgradation/Modernisation is funded under Plan Head 53 Customer Amenities.
* ₹1,122 crore allocated to Southern Railway under Plan Head 53 for FY 2025-26, with ₹240 crore spent up to June.
* A new coaching terminal at Podanur Junction sanctioned at a cost of ₹98.67 crore.
Project Completion Factors:
* Completion depends on land acquisition, forest clearance, utility shifting, statutory clearances, geological conditions, law and order, and available working months.
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Railways:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and allocating funds for development projects.
* Action Required: Oversee the phased implementation of master plans, ensure fund allocation and expenditure, and address factors affecting project completion.
Passengers/Citizens:
* Impact: Will benefit from improved station amenities, enhanced accessibility, and better integration of stations with the city.
* Action Required: Utilize the improved facilities and provide feedback for continuous improvement.
Salem Division (Southern Railway):
* Impact: Responsible for executing the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme within its jurisdiction, including Podanur Railway Station.
* Action Required: Expedite development works, coordinate with relevant authorities for clearances and land acquisition, and ensure timely completion of projects.
State Government:
* Impact: Required to support the Ministry of Railways by ensuring quick land aquisition
* Action Required: Support the Ministry of Railways by ensuring quick land aquisition.
Key Entities Referenced
Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: A railway station development scheme launched by the Ministry of Railways to improve amenities at railway stations on a continuous basis with a long-term approach.
Pothanur Railway Station: A railway station in Salem division of Southern Railway, identified for development under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Coimbatore: A city, the railway station of which is planned to be connected with Pothanur Railway Station.
Salem division: A railway division of Southern Railway, under whose jurisdiction Podanur Railway Station falls. Several stations within this division are undergoing development under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Southern Railway: A railway zone under whose jurisdiction Salem division falls.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
Plan Head 53 Customer Amenities: A budget allocation within the Ministry of Railways specifically designated for funding development, upgradation, and modernization of stations, including those under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Tamil Nadu: State where Coimbatore, Pothanur, Salem, Tiruppur and other cities mentioned in the document are located.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 657
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
AMRIT BHARAT STATION SCHEME FOR POTHANUR RAILWAY STATION
657. DR. GANAPATHY RAJKUMAR P:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any proposal that Pothanur Railway
Station will be transformed into the second junction of
Coimbatore, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the development work is underway under the Amrit
Bharat scheme at various railway stations in Salem division
including Podanur Railway Station;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) the fund allocated, released and spent for various development
and infrastructural works at the said Station; and
(e) the time by when all the works will be completed and the said
Station converted into the second junction of Coimbatore?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (e): Ministry of Railways has launched Amrit Bharat Station
Scheme. It envisages development of stations on a continuous
basis with a long-term approach. It involves preparation of master
…2/--2-
plans and their implementation in phases to improve the amenities
at the stations like improvement of station access, circulating
areas, waiting halls, toilets, lift/escalators as necessary, platform
surfacing and cover over platform, cleanliness, free Wi-Fi, kiosks for
local products through schemes like ‘One Station One Product’,
better passenger information systems, executive lounges,
nominated spaces for business meetings, landscaping, etc. keeping
in view the necessity at each station.
The scheme also envisages improvement of building, integrating
the station with both sides of the city, multimodal integration,
amenities for Divyangjans, sustainable and environment friendly
solutions, provision of ballastless tracks, etc. as per necessity,
phasing and feasibility and creation of city centre at the station in
the long term.
So far, 1337 stations including Podanur Railway station of Salem
division of Southern Railway have been identified for development
under this scheme. The names of stations identified for development
under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in the Salem division of Southern
Railway are as following:
No. of Amrit
Division Names of Amrit Stations
Stations
Salem 16 Bommidi, Chinna Salem, Coimbatore Jn,
Coimbatore North, Coonoor, Erode Jn.,
Karur Jn, Mettupalayam, Morappur,
Namakkal, Podanur Jn., Salem, Samalpatti,
Tirupattur, Tiruppur, Udagamandalam.
…3/--3-
Development works at railway stations under Amrit Bharat Station
Scheme in Salem division of Southern Railway have been taken up
at a good pace and work of Samalpatti railway station of Salem
division has been completed under this scheme.
Development / Upgradation / Modernisation of stations including under
Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is generally funded under Plan Head-53
‘Customer Amenities’. Salem division falls under the jurisdiction of
Southern Railway. For this zone in financial year 2025–26, ₹1,122 crore
has been allocated under Plan Head - 53 with expenditure (up to June)
of ₹ 240 crore incurred so far.
New Coaching Terminal at Podanur Junction has been sanctioned at a
cost of ₹98.67 Crore .
Completion of Railway project/s depends on various factors like quick
land acquisition by State Government, forest clearance by officials of
forest department, shifting of infringing utilities, statutory clearances
from various authorities, geological and topographical conditions of
area, law and order situation in the area of project/s site, number of
working months in a year for particular project site etc. All these
factors affect the completion time and cost of the project/s.
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