PM inaugurates renovated Vadakara railway station

The work was completed under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme at a cost of ₹22 crore

The Vadakara railway station, which underwent a major facelift under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), was thrown open to passengers on Thursday (May 22, 2025). Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the renovated facilities via videoconferencing along with 102 other railway stations covered under the scheme across the country.

Railway officials said the renovation work was completed at a cost of ₹22 crore, ensuring a total revamp of all public amenities, including parking areas, seating arrangements, comfort station facilities, and extended platforms. They added air-conditioned waiting rooms, redesigned ticket counters, a walkway, and gardens were other major attractions.

“A total area of 1,20,000 sq ft is now available for convenient vehicle parking. A sufficient number of chairs have been placed for the comfortable seating of passengers on all three renovated platforms,” said an engineer associated with the renovation work. He added vertical gardens, escalators, and a dedicated space for autorickshaws were also among the key highlights.

Digital display systems have also been installed to help passengers easily access information on train arrival times, coach positions, and platform numbers. The air-conditioned waiting room facility will be available to passengers at ₹30 per hour.

According to officials, Vadakara station, also known as Badagara, with the station code BDJ, was the first railway facility in Kerala where renovation works under the ABSS were completed on time. They also said the initial funds had already been sanctioned for the next phase of development works.

A cultural show led by Sopana Sangeetham artiste Sunil Vadakara was the highlight of the inaugural event, which was attended by Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian.

Members of the Train Passengers’ Association who attended the inaugural event said the renovated facilities would benefit more passengers if additional long-distance trains were allowed to stop at Vadakara. They added that they were awaiting a favourable decision from the Railways to begin with the Vande Bharat Express in the first phase.

Published - May 22, 2025 07:16 pm IST