Kannur: As the New Year begins, 21 railway stations in Kerala, completely revamped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), are set to be inaugurated. The project, costing ₹500 crore, is nearing completion. Across India, the Amrit Bharat scheme covers 1,337 stations with a total investment of ₹1 lakh crore.

In Thiruvananthapuram division, renovation work has been 100% completed at Irinjalakuda, Chalakudy, Tripunithura, and Changanassery stations. At Wadakkanchery, Alappuzha, Thiruvalla, Ettumanoor, Kayamkulam, Angamaly, Neyyattinkara, and Mavelikkara stations, work has crossed 97–99%. A total of 15 stations are included in the scheme under the Thiruvananthapuram division. Except for Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli, 13 of these stations are in Kerala. Among them, Chirayinkeezhu has already been inaugurated.

Palakkad division includes 16 stations. Except for Mangaluru Junction and Pollachi, 14 of these are in Kerala. Vadakara and Mahe stations have already been inaugurated, with project costs of ₹22 crore and ₹11 crore respectively. Renovation work has been completed at Shoranur, Thalassery, Kuttippuram, Tirur, Nilambur Road, Kasaragod, Parappanangadi, Feroke, and Angadippuram. Kannur, Payyannur, and Ottappalam stations are yet to be completed.

Progress in Kannur has been going slow with only 10% of work completed; the project cost there is ₹32 crore. At Payyannur, work has reached 80%, while at Ottappalam it stands at 75%. Except for Kannur, all remaining stations are scheduled for inauguration during January–March.

What Amrit Bharat Scheme Offers

The scheme focuses on redeveloping railway stations at a relatively low cost. The redesigned stations reflect Kerala’s architectural style, include landscaped gardens, upgraded platforms, and air-conditioned waiting halls. Old and unnecessary structures have been removed. Facilities such as foot overbridges, escalators, lifts, expanded parking areas, improved platforms, restrooms, renovated waiting areas, and enhanced lighting systems are part of the upgrade.