Amritsar station redevelopment project receives ₹402 crore boost.

Indian Railways has sanctioned ₹402 crore for the redevelopment of Amritsar Junction railway station along with an additional ₹100 crore for the construction of five new platforms, Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu said recently.

Speaking at the Amritsar Junction railway station after flagging off the 14664/14663 Amrit Bharat Express between Amritsar and New Jalpaiguri, Bittu said the redevelopment project aims to transform the station into a world-class transport hub while preserving the spiritual and cultural identity of the holy city. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for prioritising railway infrastructure development in Punjab and across the country.

The proposed redevelopment plan includes major yard remodelling and expansion works to meet future passenger and operational requirements. The station will be expanded with five additional platforms — two on the north side and three on the south side — along with five new passenger loop lines to improve train handling capacity and reduce congestion. A new Vande Bharat maintenance shed will also be developed at Amritsar to support modern rail operations.

According to the minister, the station buildings are being designed as modern architectural landmarks. A G+10 station building with seven commercial floors is planned on the north side, while a G+3 building will be constructed on the south side. The redevelopment project will also include improved passenger amenities, commercial spaces, lifts, escalators, new subways connecting both sides of the station, upgraded parking facilities, traffic circulation systems and covered drop-off zones.

Bittu said the launch of the Amrit Bharat Express service between Amritsar and New Jalpaiguri would strengthen rail connectivity between northern and eastern India. The weekly service will connect cities including Ludhiana, Ambala, Gorakhpur, Raxaul, Sitamarhi, Forbesganj and Siliguri, benefiting migrant workers, students, tourists, pilgrims and businesses through affordable long-distance travel.

Highlighting broader railway development in Punjab, the minister said the state’s railway budget allocation has risen to ₹5,673 crore for 2026-27, nearly 25 times higher than the annual average allocation during 2009-14. He added that projects worth over ₹26,000 crore are currently under execution in Punjab, while 30 railway stations in the state are being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.