Model Station Scheme was in vogue between June, 1999 and Nov., 2008. Ministry of Railways has launched Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for development of Railway stations on Indian Railways. This scheme envisages development of stations on a continuous basis with a long-term approach.

It involves preparation of Master Plans and their implementation in phases to improve the amenities at the stations like improvement of station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, lift/escalators as necessary, cleanliness, free Wi-Fi, kiosks for local products through schemes like ‘One Station One Product’, better passenger information systems, Executive Lounges, nominated spaces for business meetings, landscaping etc. keeping in view the necessity at each station.

The scheme also envisages improvement of building, integrating the station with both sides of the city, multimodal integration, amenities for Divyangjans, sustainable and environment friendly solutions, provision of ballastless tracks, ‘Roof Plazas’ as per necessity, phasing and feasibility and creation of city centres at the station in the long term. Under the Scheme, 1318 stations, including 23 stations in Bikaner division and 18 stations in Jodhpur division, have been identified for upgradation/modernisation over Indian Railways.

During the period 2014-23, total 10867 Nos. Road Over Bridges (ROBs)/Road Under Bridges (RUBs) were completed, whereas, during the period 2004-14, only 4148 Nos. ROBs/RUBs were completed. During the year 2023-24, 612 Nos. ROBs/RUBs have been completed up to December 2023. During the year 2023-24, ₹3970 crores have been spent up to December 2023 for the construction of ROBs & RUBs.

Construction of Road Over Bridges (ROBs)/Road Under Bridges (RUBs) is taken up to eliminate manned level crossing gates. Sanctioning of works of Road over Bridge (ROB)/Road under Bridge (RUB) in lieu of level crossings (LCs) is a continuous and dynamic process of Indian Railway. Such works are taken up on the basis of its impact on safety in train operations, mobility of trains and impact for road users and feasibility etc.

As on 31.01.2024, total 1948 ROBs and 2325 RUBs have been sanctioned over Indian Railways, which are at different stages of planning, estimation and execution etc.

In order to improve safety in train operation, to increase mobility and to accelerate road crossing works, Railway has issued new policy on 02.03.2023. The main features of the policy are as under:

1. Priority of LC elimination is based on its impact on safety in train operations, mobility of trains and impact for road users, feasibility of execution and cost considerations.

2. Execution of work on single entity basis by Railway wherever possible. In case any Road Owning authority/State Government wants then Railway may permit them to execute the work on single entity basis.

This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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