Hyderabad, Feb 24 (Reporter) Marking a significant milestone in the ongoing transformation of Indian Railways, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate, and dedicate 554 Amrit Stations and 1,500 Road Over Bridges/Road Under Bridges (ROB/RUB) on February 26. Among these, 57 Amrit stations and 156 ROBs and RUBs within the South Central Railways (SCR) jurisdiction will be dedicated to the nation, South Central Railway General Manager Arun Kumar Jain told the media here on Saturday. Indian Railways is undergoing a massive upgrade, aiming to provide world-class facilities to passengers. The "Amrit Bharat Station Scheme" focuses on redeveloping railway stations across the country, not only to offer modern amenities but also to transform them into growth centers for the city's populace. The initiative gained momentum in August 2023, when Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for redeveloping 508 railway stations nationwide. Building on this momentum, the foundation stone will be laid for an additional 554 stations, including 57 within the SCR jurisdiction covering Telangana (15), Andhra Pradesh (34), Maharashtra (6), and Karnataka (2), with a combined cost of nearly Rs 925 crore. The "Amrit Bharat Station Scheme" formulated by the Ministry of Railways aims to modernise railway stations continuously, following a long-term vision. The plan includes enhancing aesthetics, improving station approaches, implementing well-designed signages, creating green spaces, promoting local art and culture, and earmarking stalls for the "One Station, One Product" scheme. Additionally, the initiative focuses on enabling second entry for station buildings, constructing high-level platforms, and providing passenger facilities such as high-quality public announcement systems, LED-based station name boards, improved waiting halls, user-friendly signage, and more. The foundation stone will also be laid for 156 ROB/RUBs in Telangana (49), Andhra Pradesh (59), Maharashtra (19), and Madhya Pradesh (29), totalling nearly Rs 927.31 crore. This move aims to enhance safety for both road and rail users, ensuring seamless traffic flow, reducing journey and fuel costs, and acting as a vital bridge connecting localities. The General Manager emphasised that these initiatives will strengthen rail infrastructure and enhance safety standards across the zone. Redeveloping these railway stations is a top priority, ensuring timely completion and providing passengers with a unique, modern experience...////...