THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Three railway stations in Kerala have been selected for the second phase of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS). As part of this project, stations, including Karunagappally and Kannur, will undergo upgrades. PK Krishna Das, Chairman of the Indian Railway Passenger Amenities Committee (PAC) and the senior leader of the BJP, stated that Karunagappally has been included in the second phase of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, as the first phase is already in progress.
He mentioned that 33 stations from Kerala have been included in the project, with 30 stations being part of the first phase. PK Krishna Das also shared that, as part of this project, Karunagappally will see the construction of a new building, two platform shelters with a length of 32 meters, an improved fresh water system for drinking purposes, three lifts, and an expanded vehicle parking system spanning 2000 meters, among other enhancements.
The renovation of the Karunagappally railway station will greatly benefit passengers travelling to the Amritanandamayi Ashram at Vallikavu, Karunagappally.
As of May 2022-23, the number of passengers arriving at Karunagappally station has reached 1,715,776.
The ABSS aims to elevate these stations to international standards, transforming them into modern and efficient transportation hubs. To facilitate this upgrade, a budget of Rs 934 crores has been allocated to the Southern Railway for the development of these railway stations.
The scheme involves the formulation and execution of Master Plans in several phases, intended to enhance various amenities at the stations. These improvements include upgrading station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, and the installation of lifts and escalators as required. The plan also emphasizes cleanliness, the provision of free Wi-Fi, and the introduction of kiosks offering local products under initiatives like ‘One Station One Product.’ Importantly, these upgraded railway stations will also be designed to cater to the needs of specially challenged passengers, ensuring accessibility for all travellers.
The selection of stations for the ABSS project was based on factors such as the number of passengers using the station and the number of trains that halt at each station.
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