To inaugurate 103 Revamped Railway Stations Across 18 States
VINOD BHAT
NEW DELHI, May 21— Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Rajasthan on May 22 to launch a massive development drive in the state, with projects worth over Rs 26,000 crore set to be inaugurated, dedicated to the nation, or marked for future construction. His visit will include stops at Deshnoke and Palana in Bikaner district, where he will address a public gathering and participate in several ceremonial events.
The Prime Minister’s day will begin with a visit to the revered Karni Mata temple in Deshnoke at around 10:30 AM. Following this, he will inaugurate the redeveloped Deshnoke railway station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and flag off the Bikaner-Mumbai express train at approximately 11:00 AM. The revamped station, which caters to the large number of pilgrims visiting the Karni Mata shrine, has been designed with temple-inspired architecture incorporating traditional arches and columns.
In a major boost to rail infrastructure across the country, PM Modi will also inaugurate 103 redeveloped Amrit Stations located in 86 districts across 18 States and Union Territories. Developed at a combined cost of over Rs 1,100 crore, these stations aim to enhance the passenger experience with modern amenities, sustainable practices, and architectural designs reflecting local heritage. Stations like Begumpet in Telangana draw inspiration from the Kakatiya dynasty, Thawe in Bihar showcases Madhubani murals symbolizing Maa Thawewali, and Dakor in Gujarat incorporates design elements linked to Ranchhodrai Ji Maharaj. These projects form part of a broader national plan to redevelop over 1,300 stations under the Amrit Bharat scheme.
As part of Indian Railways’ transition toward complete electrification, the Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for the Churu-Sadulpur rail line electrification (58 km) and dedicate electrified routes such as Suratgarh-Phalodi (336 km), Phulera-Degana (109 km), Udaipur-Himmatnagar (210 km), Phalodi-Jaisalmer (157 km), and Samdari-Barmer (129 km) to the nation. These initiatives are aligned with the government’s vision of greener and more efficient railway operations.
To bolster the road infrastructure in Rajasthan, PM Modi will lay the foundation for construction of three vehicle underpasses and the widening and strengthening of several national highways. He will also dedicate seven major road projects to the nation. Together, these projects, valued at over Rs 4,850 crore, are expected to significantly improve connectivity across the state and up to the Indo-Pak border, enhancing both civilian mobility and strategic defence logistics.
In the renewable energy sector, the Prime Minister will launch multiple solar energy projects, including major solar power facilities in Bikaner and Nawa in the Didwana-Kuchaman region. He will also lay the foundation stones for new transmission infrastructure under PowerGrid’s Sirohi and Mewar subsidiaries and inaugurate operational systems such as the Neemuch and Bikaner Complex transmission corridors. Additionally, capacity augmentation at the Fatehgarh-II power station will be formally dedicated, underscoring the government’s commitment to promoting clean and sustainable energy sources.
The Prime Minister’s visit will also mark the inauguration and foundation laying of 25 crucial state government projects aimed at enhancing infrastructure and public services across Rajasthan. These include the upgradation and maintenance of 12 state highways covering over 750 km, with an additional 900 km of roads proposed under future expansion. Health infrastructure will receive a significant push with the inauguration of new nursing colleges in Rajsamand, Pratapgarh, Bhilwara, and Dholpur. Water availability and quality will also be addressed through the launch of various water infrastructure schemes such as the Rural Water Supply and Fluorosis Mitigation Project in Jhunjhunu and the restructuring of urban water supply systems in seven towns of Pali district under the AMRUT 2.0 initiative.
PM Modi’s visit to Rajasthan signals the Centre’s ongoing commitment to building a robust infrastructure backbone for the state, while also pushing forward the national agenda of a developed, inclusive, and sustainable India. With transformative projects cutting across railways, roads, power, and public health, the Prime Minister’s latest outreach is expected to significantly uplift the developmental landscape of the region.
