Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated five redeveloped railway stations in Tamil Nadu, taking the total number of redeveloped stations in the state to 26 out of 77. The stations have been modernised under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, which was launched in 2022 for the development and upgradation of stations across the Indian Railways network.

The five stations inaugurated on Sunday are Ambasamudram, Palani, Namakkal, Paramakkudi and Vellore Cantonment, all under the Southern Railway zone. They have been upgraded with better station buildings, waiting areas, platforms, parking facilities and passenger information systems, along with ramps, lifts and accessible toilets to make travel easier for passengers with disabilities.

What the five stations offer

Ambasamudram, which serves Tirunelveli district and is the nearest station to Papanasam, now has new entrance arches, separate air-conditioned and general waiting halls, two lifts on the foot overbridge, a new 6-metre-wide foot overbridge, covered parking and divyangjan-friendly facilities including ramps with handrails and accessible booking counters.

Palani, an important rail gateway for devotees visiting the Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, was redeveloped at a cost of around Rs 20 crore with a new entrance arch, wider circulating area, new waiting hall, upgraded concourse and artwork depicting local art and culture. Namakkal, on the Salem-Karur section and a gateway to the Kolli Hills, received an upgraded waiting hall, executive lounge, new foot overbridge with lifts and improved LED lighting, supporting the district’s trade and poultry industries.

Paramakkudi, the largest town in Ramanathapuram district and a rail link for pilgrims travelling to Rameswaram, now has a new entrance arch, covered parking spread over about 1,250 square metres, and facilities aimed at supporting the local handloom industry. Vellore Cantonment, in the heart of Vellore city, was upgraded with a reserved lounge, retiring room, ten platform shelter bays, coach guidance boards and a selfie point, benefiting patients travelling for medical treatment, students, professionals and daily commuters.

The scheme’s wider scope

Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, stations are being upgraded with better waiting halls, toilets, lifts, escalators, free Wi-Fi, executive lounges, improved access roads and landscaping, with facilities planned according to each station’s needs. The scheme has a long-term vision involving master plans, multimodal connectivity and better station accessibility.

More stations on the way

Apart from the 26 completed stations, another 51 stations from Chennai Egmore and Ambattur to Rameswaram and Virudhunagar, including major junctions such as Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Salem, are on the redevelopment list under the scheme.