New Delhi : Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani has said the Indian railways are not just a part of our economy but also a part of our identity. Speaking after the virtual inauguration of the Sullurupeta railway station (redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme) in Andhra Pradesh by the Prime Minister today, the Union Minister said the Indian Railways carry over two crore passengers everyday and it is the largest employers in the world.
Stating that in today’s India, infrastructure is not just about convenience—it is about confidence, the Minister said we need stations that are accessible, efficient, and reflective of our national pride. “Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the railways have been placed at the heart of India’s development agenda. His approach has been clear: transform railway infrastructure, enhance passenger experience, and integrate stations with India’s broader urban renewal”, the Minister said.
The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme was conceptualised to reimagine over 1,300 stations across India, Shri Pemmasani has informed that the redevelopment of Sullurupeta railway station was taken up at a cost Rs.14.5 Crore. This station occupies a distinctive place on the Indian railway map as it lies in the sacred district of Tirupati and serves as the nearest station to Sriharikota, India’s premier spaceport.
Referring to various railway projects taken up in the state of Andhra Pradesh in the last 11 years, the Minister has elaborated that the budget allocation rose to Rs.9,417 Crore in 2025–26 which is more than 10 times than that allocated in 2009–14. A total of 414 KMs of new rail lines were added, 1,217 KMs doubled and at total of 3,748 KMs line electrified. A total of 41 projects, amounting to Rs 34,700 crore, have been sanctioned in the last 11 years. Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme alone, a record breaking 73 stations in Andhra Pradesh are being redeveloped, he added.