Ranchi, September 11: Railway infrastructure in the Ranchi division is undergoing a major transformation, with 17 stations being upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme to provide passengers with improved and modern facilities.According to the details available, around Rs 170 crore has been sanctioned for the redevelopment of the selected stations.
The programme covers stations including Piska, Lohardaga, Argora, Bano, Govindpur Road, Balasiring, Namkum, Tatisilwai, Gangaghat, Silli, Muri, Ramgarh Cantonment, Jhalda, Suisa, Tulin and Orga.
The redevelopment focuses on more than just improving station buildings. Plans include modern waiting areas and lounges, lifts and escalators, digital passenger information systems, improved toilets, wider foot overbridges, better parking arrangements and facilities designed to make stations more accessible for persons with disabilities.
Five stations have so far completed their planned development work, according to the report. Piska, Govindpur Road and Muri have also been inaugurated following completion, while work at other locations is progressing according to their respective schedules.Several projects are expected to be completed during 2026 and 2027.
Work at Suisa is targeted for completion in September 2026, while Tulin is scheduled for completion by October 31, 2026. Development at Namkum and Silli is targeted for May 2027, Jhalda for July 2027 and Tatisilwai for December 2027.
Ranchi station to receive major upgrade
Ranchi Railway Station is undergoing a separate, large-scale redevelopment project estimated at around Rs 447 crore.The project includes a new G+2 station building, the commissioning of Platform No. 6, 17 lifts and 19 escalators.
Around 100 retiring rooms are also planned, along with a modern air concourse and sleeping-pod facilities.A food plaza with seating capacity for nearly 2,500 passengers is also being developed as part of the passenger-oriented infrastructure.
The redeveloped station is planned to accommodate a substantially higher volume of passengers, with the report putting the projected handling capacity at around 35,000 passengers at a time.
Road infrastructure around Ranchi station
The station redevelopment is being accompanied by improvements in surrounding road infrastructure.
A 772-metre road overbridge, estimated to cost around Rs 25.5 crore, is being constructed to connect the northern and southern sides of the station area.
The project is expected to improve traffic movement and ease congestion around the railway station.
Hatia station also undergoing redevelopment
Hatia Railway Station is being modernised under another major project estimated at around Rs 355 crore.A new five-storey station building is being developed, with plans for 10 lifts and six escalators.
The project also incorporates environment-friendly features, including green-energy provisions and water recycling.An underpass costing around Rs 33 crore is also being constructed near the station to improve local traffic movement.
Work on remodelling the Hatia railway yard is also underway to support smoother train operations.
Additional rail lines planned
Rail capacity between Ranchi, Hatia and Balasiring is also proposed to be strengthened. A final location survey has been approved for laying third and fourth railway lines along a roughly 14-kilometre corridor.
The additional tracks are expected to increase the capacity of the route and help manage future growth in train traffic while improving operational efficiency.
Railway officials have said that passenger convenience remains a key focus of the redevelopment programme. The projects cover both major railway hubs and smaller stations, with the objective of extending improved facilities across the Ranchi division.
Once the ongoing projects are completed, passengers are expected to benefit from better station infrastructure, improved accessibility, digital information systems, smoother movement and enhanced amenities across the division.
