Indian railway stations are undergoing a transformation. Once characterised by dimly lit platforms, congested concourses and basic passenger facilities, they are now being reimagined as vibrant, world-class urban gateways. The change is not limited to aesthetic upgrades such as fresh coats of paint or new benches but represents a fundamental shift in how railway stations are designed, operated and integrated with the city. Across the country, railway stations are increasingly being developed as multimodal transport hubs and commercial centres with climate-responsive public spaces. Over the past few years, both Indian Railways and private operators have accelerated large-scale station redevelopment programmes that aim to redefine the passenger experience while unlocking the commercial potential of railway land.
Reimagining Indian railway stations
The transformation of railway stations is being driven by the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), a national mission launched by the Ministry of Railways in December 2022 to modernise a large number of stations across India with integrated master plans, sustainable design and phased development strategies. The first set of foundation stones for redevelopment under the scheme was laid on August 6, 2023 for 508 stations across the country. The scheme supports the development of stations into “city centres”, not limiting upgrades to short-term improvements. As of December 2025, 155 out of the 1,337 identified stations have been developed, which reflects the scheme’s vast national footprint.
The scheme also aims to upgrade entry and exit points, waiting areas, toilets, platforms and roofing. Facilities such as lifts, escalators, free Wi-Fi, improved signage, food courts, kiosks, children’s play areas and information systems will be provided as required. Some stations will also feature executive lounges and business meeting spaces. Under the One Station One Product scheme, local products will be sold at kiosks, and efforts will be made to enhance greenery and overall appearance. Additionally, the focus is placed on modernising station buildings, improving connectivity across the city and integrating stations with other transport modes such as buses and metros. Further, special attention is given to accessibility for persons with disabilities, along with eco-friendly solutions, noise-free tracks and better urban planning.
Each redeveloped station draws inspiration from local culture and heritage, a key feature of the scheme. For example, the station at Ahmedabad draws inspiration from the Modhera Sun temple, Dwarka reflects the Dwarkadheesh Temple and the Baleshwar station is based on the Jagannath temple. The Gurugram station adopts an IT theme while Kumbakonam reflects Chola architecture.
A major milestone in this ongoing transformation was witnessed in May 2025, when 103 redeveloped stations, including Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Orchha in Madhya Pradesh, Parel in Mumbai, and Munirabad and Dharwad in Karnataka, were inaugurated across the country in a single event. The event showcased the accelerated pace at which railway infrastructure modernisation is now being pursued. Enhanced budgetary support, faster project execution mechanisms, and an evolving approach that combines passenger convenience with commercial development have all contributed to this momentum.
Among India’s redeveloped stations, Rani Kamalapati Railway Station in Bhopal is a benchmark for world-class redevelopment under the public-private partnership model. Rebuilt on the lines of Germany’s Heidelberg station, it is regarded as India’s first world-class railway station, offering an airport-like passenger experience. The station features modern amenities such as covered parking, 24×7 power backup, air-conditioned lobbies, organised retail, escalators, lifts, hotels, a convention centre, automobile showrooms and even a superspeciality hospital, transforming it into a multi-use urban hub rather than just a transit point. The station has received a GEM 5-Star Sustainability Certification from ASSOCHAM, and incorporates zero-discharge water reuse systems, extensive landscaping, solar power provisions and rainwater harvesting.
Not all redevelopment projects are translating into megastructures. Some stations are being completely reconstructed with integrated commercial complexes, while a large number of stations are benefiting from intermediate upgradation works such as improved platform shelters, digital passenger information systems, accessible toilets, better lighting, CCTV surveillance and modern waiting areas.
At small stations such as Wathar in Maharashtra, completed works include a new portico, station building improvements, a water booth, a new main entry gate, parking and circulating areas, an entrance lobby, a compound wall for the parking area, platform shelters at Platform No. 1, platform surfacing, upgraded waiting rooms, signage and station illumination. At Nandgaon, entry and exit gates, platform surfacing, platform shelters, improvements to the station building and booking office, a foot overbridge, a boundary wall, a circulating area, a parking area, signage and lighting works have been completed.
However, two core themes consistently define the new generation of Indian railway stations: passenger comfort through improved amenities and infrastructure, and commercial densification through organised retail, food courts and structured parking facilities.
Progress under ABSS
Under the ABSS, out of the 1,337 identified stations, 157 stations are located in Uttar Pradesh while 132 are in Maharashtra, making the states a key beneficiary and driver of the ongoing railway redevelopment. Over the past decade, investment in Maharashtra’s rail infrastructure has expanded exponentially. Annual allocations, which averaged Rs 11.71 billion between 2009 and 2014, have risen over twentyfold to Rs 237.78 billion during FY 2025-26, enabling large-scale expansion and modernisation works across the state.
With regard to station redevelopment works, as of December 2025, works have been completed at 17 stations in Maharashtra, with project costs ranging from Rs 71.7 million to over Rs 300 million. These include Amgaon (Rs 71.7 million), Chanda Fort (Rs 193 million), Chinchpokli (Rs 118.1 million), Devlali (Rs 104.4 million), Dhule (Rs 91.3 million), Kedgaon (Rs 125.5 million), Lasalgaon (Rs 301.4 million), Matunga (Rs 172.8 million) and Parel (Rs 194.1 million), along with Baramati, Lonand Junction, Murtizapur Junction, Itwari Junction, Shahad, Savda, Vadala Road and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Nandura. In addition, railway development projects worth Rs 100 million are under way across the state. Further, development plans for six major stations including Pune, Hadapsar, Khadki, Shivajinagar, Uruli Kanchan and Alandi are in their final stages.
Across Uttar Pradesh, as of July 2025, Phase I works have been completed at 20 stations including Ayodhya Dham, Balrampur, Bareily City, Bijnor, Fatehabad and Gomti Nagar. Phase I/Phase II works have been taken up at 130 stations while nine stations are at the master planning/tendering stage.
The station redevelopment story is not limited to western and central India. In eastern India, Bihar has also begun to witness tangible benefits from redevelopment efforts. At Karpoorigram station under the Samastipur division, redevelopment works worth Rs 33 million were initiated, with the foundation stone laid in July 2025. These works include modernisation of the station building, waiting rooms and toilets, installation of digital information systems, provision of safe drinking water facilities, and construction of ramps for differently abled passengers. Several newly constructed passenger amenities were also inaugurated at the station. In addition, an underground railway subway is proposed to be constructed between Karpoorigram and Khudiram Bose Pusa stations at a cost of Rs 140 million. This will significantly ease local traffic congestion and improve the seamless movement of trains, signalling a gradual but steady improvement in smaller stations that cater to large rural and semi-urban populations.
Additionally, Indian Railways approved a plan in October 2025 to develop 76 passenger holding areas across various stations under its 16 zonal railways, following the successful implementation of the Yatri Suvidha Kendra at New Delhi Railway Station. These areas will follow a modular design and will be constructed based on local conditions. The holding areas are intended to regulate passenger flow, reduce platform congestion and enhance overall safety during peak travel periods.
Hurdles on the track
Translating ambitious station redevelopment plans into reality involves significant technical, regulatory, operational and design challenges. Major risks arise from shifting signalling and telecommunication networks, converting legacy route relay interlocking systems to modern electronic interlocking (EI) and managing dense underground utilities such as water lines, drainage, power cables, sewer networks and metro tunnels. These can be mitigated with the use of ground-penetrating radar, building information modelling (BIM)-based clash detection, phased utility relocation, parallel EI testing, staff training and close coordination with service providers. Regulatory hurdles such as land acquisition, heritage and environmental clearances and height restrictions often delay projects and require early stakeholder engagement, proactive documentation and dedicated approval teams. Operationally, construction must proceed alongside heavy passenger traffic, necessitating phased execution, night-time work, robust crowd management and strict cost controls.
Experience from the Thiruvananthapuram station redevelopment highlights the importance of passenger-centric execution. Despite physical upgrades at the station such as lifts and additional lines, gaps including missing ticket counters, incomplete platform shelters, inadequate refreshment stalls and limited stoppages have led to passenger dissatisfaction. Therefore, redevelopment must be holistic, integrated and customer-focused to deliver tangible benefits.
The way forward
As the station redevelopment programme scales across India, its future success will increasingly depend on how effectively sustainability and digitalisation are integrated into the project. Climate-smart station design is no longer optional in a country that faces frequent heatwaves, flooding and water stress. Future stations must prioritise solar power generation, energy-efficient lighting, passive cooling design, large-scale rainwater harvesting, zero-discharge sewage systems and native landscaping to reduce environmental impact while lowering long-term operating costs. Carbon-neutral stations, powered largely by renewable energy and supported by electric public transport, represent a realistic and achievable goal for the next decade.
Digitalisation will be equally crucial in shaping the next generation of Indian railway stations. Integrated command-and-control centres, AI-driven crowd management systems, smart ticketing through facial recognition or QR-based platforms, real-time information through mobile apps and digital kiosks, and data-driven predictive maintenance can redefine both safety and efficiency.
Station redevelopment in India is no longer just about better buildings; rather, it is about creating integrated, future-ready transport hubs. The journey ahead must ensure that this transformation remains inclusive, technologically forward-looking, operationally resilient and aligned with India’s broader sustainability goals.
