Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu on Tuesday announced that the Beas junction railway station in Punjab’s Amritsar district is being redeveloped at an estimated cost of Rs 62 crore under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
He also flagged off the Amritsar–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express from Amritsar. The train will run on a new route that shortens the distance by approximately 84 km and reduces travel time by 40 minutes.
The Beas railway station currently handles around 106 trains daily, including 98 halting trains and 8 originating or terminating services. Passenger footfall, currently about 6,166 per day, is projected to rise to nearly 19,500 per day.
The redevelopment project will include the construction of a new station building on the GT Road side while preserving the heritage façade and architectural character of the existing structure. A new platform will be added, increasing the total to three. A six-metre-wide foot-over bridge will be constructed at the Amritsar end, while the existing one will be extended towards the second entry side.
Comprehensive redevelopment of circulating areas, approach roads, parking facilities and passenger pick-up and drop-off zones will be undertaken on both the Dera Road and GT Road sides. Dedicated parking facilities for cars, buses and two-wheelers will be developed, including arrangements to accommodate increased traffic during ‘mela’ days.
Ravneet Singh said the Amritsar–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express marks a major boost to rail connectivity, pilgrimage tourism and passenger infrastructure. Covering 283 km in about five hours, the train is equipped with modern AC Chair Car and Executive Chair Car coaches, offering world-class amenities and enhanced travel comfort.
The service is expected to strengthen the religious tourism circuit linking Sri Harmandir Sahib, Durgiana Temple, Sri Ram Tirath and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, while also promoting economic activity, tourism and trade in the region.
–IANS
