Prayagraj: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday dedicated 75 redeveloped railway stations across the country under the Amrit Bharat station scheme through videoconferencing from Jalandhar, Punjab, with eight stations of North Central Railway (NCR) among those inaugurated. The redeveloped stations include Fatehpur, Vindhyachal and Panki Dham under Prayagraj division, besides Maharaja Chhatrasal Chhatarpur, Bhind, Tikamgarh, Harpalpur and Deeg stations.Developed under the Amrit Bharat scheme, which envisages the phased redevelopment of 1,340 railway stations nationwide, the stations have been upgraded with modern passenger amenities while incorporating regional architecture and cultural heritage. Regional inaugural ceremonies witnessed participation by public representatives, railway officials, passengers and local residents across UP, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.Among the stations in Prayagraj division, Fatehpur railway station has been redeveloped at a cost of around Rs 33.1 crore. Located on the busy Delhi-Howrah rail corridor, the station now has a modern building, a second entry, an expanded parking area, a 12-mt-wide foot-overbridge and enhanced passenger circulation facilities. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes, along with local legislators and BJP functionaries.Vindhyachal railway station, redeveloped at Rs 23.24 crore, now offers a new building, upgraded waiting areas, Divyang-friendly facilities and architecture inspired by the cultural heritage of Maa Vindhyavasini Dham. UP technical education minister Ashish Patel inaugurated the station in the presence of public representatives.Panki Dham railway station in Kanpur, upgraded at Rs 24.94 crore, now features wider platforms, modern waiting halls, lifts, foot-overbridges and improved circulating areas, benefiting both devotees visiting Panki Hanuman temple and commuters from the adjoining industrial belt.The remaining five stations — Bhind (Rs 20.03 crore), Maharaja Chhatrasal Chhatarpur (Rs 16.78 crore), Tikamgarh (Rs 16.77 crore), Harpalpur (Rs 11.74 crore) and Deeg (Rs 15.24 crore) — have also been transformed with modern buildings, improved accessibility, upgraded passenger amenities and enhanced safety infrastructure. Cultural programmes by school students and felicitation of winners of literary and cultural competitions added to the celebrations, highlighting the blend of heritage and modernisation envisioned under the scheme.
