Ranchi, July 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the redeveloped Piska and Muri railway stations in Jharkhand on Friday (July 17) through video conferencing, marking another milestone under the Indian Railways’ Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS).
The two stations, redeveloped at a cost of ₹10 crore each, are among 75 stations—including 73 others across the country—that will be inaugurated as part of the Centre’s station modernisation programme. Redevelopment work at both stations commenced in 2023.
The upgraded stations feature renovated station buildings with façades inspired by local art and culture, improved circulating and parking areas, lifts, foot overbridges, upgraded platforms, platform shelters, modern waiting rooms, booking counters, drinking water facilities, toilets, enhanced lighting, seating arrangements, train and coach indicator boards, IP-based CCTV cameras and advanced passenger information systems.
Special emphasis has also been placed on accessibility, with both stations equipped with Divyangjan-friendly infrastructure, including ramps, tactile pathways, accessible toilets, wheelchair access, low-height ticket counters, drinking water booths and reserved parking spaces.
While Piska Railway Station now houses a modern passenger waiting room, Muri Railway Station has been provided with an executive lounge along with separate first- and second-class waiting rooms to improve passenger comfort.
Railway officials said the redevelopment aims to deliver a safe, clean and passenger-centric travel experience while supporting regional trade, tourism and economic activity. The redeveloped Piska station is expected to benefit thousands of daily commuters in Ranchi, while the upgraded Muri station is likely to strengthen connectivity to industrial, cultural and religious destinations.
Ranchi Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Karuna Nidhi Singh said the redevelopment of Piska and Muri forms part of a larger infrastructure upgrade across the Ranchi Division of the South Eastern Railway.
“Nearly ₹200 crore is being spent on redeveloping 15 stations under the Ranchi Railway Division of South Eastern Railway,” Singh said.
“The redevelopment of these stations is part of a larger effort to transform railway infrastructure across the division,” he added.
Singh said Govindpur station has already been redeveloped and inaugurated, while Lohardaga and Ramgarh stations are also ready after redevelopment. Work is currently underway at Karra, Namkum, Tatisilwai, Hatia and Ranchi stations.
“Govindpur station has already been inaugurated after redevelopment. Piska and Muri are ready for inauguration, while Lohardaga and Ramgarh stations have also been redeveloped and are ready,” he said.
“Work is progressing at Karra, Namkum, Tatisilwai, Hatia and Ranchi stations,” Singh added.
Highlighting the challenges involved in modernising operational railway stations, the DRM said redevelopment work at larger stations is being carried out in phases to avoid disruption of train services.
“Redeveloping larger stations is comparatively more challenging as train operations cannot be disrupted during construction. The work has to be executed in phases while ensuring uninterrupted train movement and passenger services,” he said.
Railway officials said the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is aimed not only at beautifying railway stations but also at providing world-class passenger amenities, making Indian Railways more modern, safe and accessible while giving a boost to tourism, commerce and local economic development.
