Daily Current Affairs : 7-August-2023
In a significant move aimed at elevating the travel experience of millions of commuters, the Prime Minister is set to lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 508 railway stations across India. This visionary endeavor falls under the ambit of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), a transformative initiative that seeks to reshape and rejuvenate railway stations, turning them into world-class travel hubs. Let’s delve into the key aspects of this scheme that holds the promise of enhancing the country’s railway infrastructure.
Revamping Railway Stations Across the Nation
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, the wheels of construction are already in motion at 24 stations situated in 10 different states. These states include Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu. This marks a significant step toward uplifting the travel experience of citizens in diverse regions of the country.
The Vision of Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
At the heart of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme lies a comprehensive vision to revitalize a total of 1,309 railway stations throughout India. The primary objective of this scheme is to enhance the overall passenger experience and transform railway stations into state-of-the-art travel hubs that rival international standards. To achieve this, an impressive investment of ₹25,000 crore has been allocated.
A Continual Evolution: Phased Development
One of the defining features of the ABSS is its commitment to a long-term, phased development approach. Unlike isolated, sporadic upgrades, the scheme envisions a continuous enhancement of stations over time. This approach ensures that the improvements are not confined to a single moment but evolve and adapt to changing needs and technological advancements.
Building on Previous Redevelopment Projects
The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme acts as a consolidation of previous redevelopment projects that are yet to commence. By bringing these initiatives under a unified umbrella, the scheme ensures a streamlined and efficient execution of the redevelopment process. This step showcases a strategic move towards eliminating redundancy and optimizing resource allocation.
Master Plans for Comprehensive Development
Integral to the ABSS is the formulation and execution of Master Plans for railway stations. This systematic approach involves meticulous planning to enhance not only the Minimum Essential Amenities but also to exceed expectations by introducing a comprehensive range of facilities. The phased implementation of these Master Plans ensures a methodical and well-organized transformation of railway stations.
Important Points:
- The Prime Minister is initiating the redevelopment of 508 railway stations across India.
- This effort falls under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), aiming to enhance passenger experience and create world-class travel hubs.
- Construction work is underway at 24 stations in 10 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, and more.
- The ABSS envisions revitalizing 1,309 railway stations nationwide, with a substantial investment of ₹25,000 crore.
- The scheme emphasizes long-term, phased development to ensure continuous improvement and adaptability.
- It consolidates previous redevelopment projects, streamlining efforts and optimizing resource allocation.
- The ABSS involves creating Master Plans for stations, focusing on comprehensive development beyond minimum amenities.
- The phased implementation of these Master Plans ensures a systematic and organized transformation.
- This initiative holds the potential to elevate railway stations into modern, efficient, and bustling travel hubs.
- The foundation stone ceremony marks a significant step towards a more convenient and brighter future for Indian commuters.
Why In News
The Prime Minister is set to inaugurate the transformative redevelopment project, symbolizing the rejuvenation of 508 railway stations nationwide. Currently, as part of the Amrit Bharat Station scheme, a remarkable effort is underway, propelling construction progress across 24 stations spanning ten states including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu.
MCQs about Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
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What is the primary objective of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS)?
A. To reduce the number of railway stations in India.
B. To develop international airports across the country.
C. To enhance the passenger experience and create world-class travel hubs.
D. To focus solely on cosmetic changes in railway stations.
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Under which scheme is the redevelopment of 508 railway stations in India being carried out?
A. Make in India Scheme
B. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
C. Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS)
D. Digital India Initiative
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What is the significance of the phased development approach in the ABSS?
A. It focuses on rapid and immediate changes to railway stations.
B. It ensures continuous improvement and adaptability over time.
C. It limits the scope of redevelopment to a few stations.
D. It only concentrates on cosmetic upgrades.
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How does the ABSS incorporate previous redevelopment projects?
A. It discards all previous projects and starts anew.
B. It creates a separate plan for each previous project.
C. It consolidates and streamlines previous projects for efficient execution.
D. It ignores previous projects and focuses on new developments.
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