Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards strengthening railway infrastructure in Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated seven redeveloped railway stations in the state.

These seven railway stations—Balangir, Barpali, Paralakhemundi, Talcher, Kesinga, Baripada and Bimalgarh—have been redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), said the Indian Railways.

Redeveloped at a cumulative cost of approximately Rs 109 crore, these stations reflect the Union Government’s vision of developing modern, passenger centric railway stations while preserving the cultural identity and architectural heritage of their respective regions.

The ABSS envisages the holistic redevelopment of railway stations with improved passenger amenities, including modern station buildings, better circulating areas, upgraded waiting halls, modern toilets, enhanced platform shelters, digital passenger information systems, improved lighting, standardized signage and multimodal integration.

Based on operational requirements and station specific needs, facilities such as 12-metre-wide Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) with lift provisions have also been provided at suitable stations to ensure barrier free accessibility. The station buildings also incorporate local art, culture and architectural elements, reflecting the unique heritage of their respective regions.

The redeveloped stations are expected to significantly enhance passenger convenience, strengthen regional connectivity and promote tourism, trade and local economic development, reaffirming Indian Railways' commitment to creating world class railway infrastructure in line with the vision of a Viksit Bharat.

Notably, the Prime Minister inaugurated altogether 75 redeveloped railway stations across the country under the ABSS on Friday.