Amrit Bharat stations, safer bridges, modern coaches: Indian Railways showcases scale of transformation

Indian Railways is undergoing a broad-based transformation across infrastructure, safety, and passenger services, with the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme emerging as a key pillar of its long-term modernisation strategy. Data shared by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in Parliament highlights the scale of progress being made across the network.

Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 1,337 railway stations have been identified for phased redevelopment through detailed master plans. The initiative aims to upgrade stations not just as transit points but as integrated urban spaces, with improved access, modern station buildings, better waiting areas, upgraded platforms, lifts and escalators, enhanced passenger information systems, and amenities for Divyangjans. So far, redevelopment works at 172 stations have been completed, marking steady advancement of the nationwide programme.

Safety-related interventions are being reinforced in parallel, particularly in bridge maintenance. Indian Railways follows a structured inspection framework under which every bridge is inspected twice annually, before and after the monsoon, while structurally sensitive bridges undergo more frequent checks. Additionally, 20 per cent of major and important bridges are subjected to comprehensive technical inspections each year. Between 2022 and December 2025, 8,626 railway bridges were repaired, strengthened, rehabilitated, or rebuilt, reflecting sustained investment in network safety.

A significant shift is also visible in rolling stock modernisation. Production of LHB coaches has increased sharply, rising from 2,337 units during 2004–14 to 42,677 units between 2014 and 2025—an over 18-fold jump. These coaches offer improved safety and comfort through features such as anti-climbing systems, air suspension, stainless steel bodies, and disc brakes. Supporting this expansion, the Ministry of Railways has invested heavily in manufacturing capacity, including over ₹3,000 crore for the Modern Coach Factory in Raebareli and ₹2,443 crore for upgrading existing coach production units.

Passenger amenities at stations have also expanded. A total of 11,650 stalls and commercial units are currently operational across railway stations, allocated through transparent e-auction and e-tender processes, including to eligible applicants from SC and ST communities. At the same time, Indian Railways has scaled up cleanliness initiatives through mechanised coach cleaning, onboard housekeeping services, and Clean Train Station operations. The installation of bio-toilets has increased dramatically—from 9,587 units between 2004 and 2014 to more than 3.61 lakh since 2014—without adding any cleanliness-related charges to passenger fares.

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Food and catering services, serving an average of 58 crore meals annually, are being monitored through digital systems and inspections. With complaints accounting for only about 0.0008 per cent of meals served, Indian Railways has strengthened oversight through POS billing, SMS alerts on menu rates, QR-coded staff IDs, e-pantry services, and the RailMadad grievance platform. Penalties worth Rs 2.6 crore have been imposed over the past three years following investigations into complaints.

Together, these data points underline a coordinated effort to modernise stations under the Amrit Bharat framework, enhance safety, expand manufacturing capacity, and improve passenger experience across the railway network.