Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the redeveloped Hi-Tech City Railway station on Friday as part of the inauguration of 75 Amrit Bharat railway stations across 20 states under the Amrit Bharat Scheme.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister flagged off India’s first hydrogen-powered train between Jind and Sonipat in Haryana. He said Jind and Haryana had secured a permanent place in history through the launch. He also described the emission-free train as a successful example of the *Make in India* initiative.
The redevelopment of Hi-Tech City Railway Station cost Rs.35.61 crore. The project added a new station building, upgraded waiting halls, lifts, escalators, Divyangjan-friendly facilities, digital signages and other passenger amenities.
Hi-Tech City Railway redevelopment showcased at Hyderabad event
Meanwhile, railway authorities organised a parallel inauguration programme at the station. MLC A.V.N. Reddy, South Central Railway General Manager Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, Secunderabad Divisional Railway Manager R. Gopalakrishnan and other railway officials attended the event.
Addressing the gathering, A.V.N. Reddy said the Centre had undertaken railway development projects worth more than Rs.40,000 crore in Telangana. He added that the Union Government was strengthening connectivity through major investments in rail infrastructure.
Further, Sanjay Kumar Srivastava said Hi-Tech City Railway station was among the 75 redeveloped stations inaugurated across the country. He added that redevelopment work at other Amrit Bharat stations in Telangana was progressing on schedule.
Additionally, organisers distributed prizes to winners of essay, drawing, painting and selfie competitions held to mark the station’s transformation. Cultural performances also formed part of the programme.
BJP Telangana president N. Ramchander Rao attended the event as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, he said the Narendra Modi-led government had transformed Indian Railways. According to him, Telangana’s annual railway allocation had increased from Rs.500 crore before 2014 to Rs.4,900 crore. Further, he said 41 railway stations in the state were under redevelopment. He added that five Vande Bharat trains currently operate from Hyderabad, while plans for future high-speed and bullet train corridors are under way.