PM Modi Inaugurates Redeveloped Baijnath Paprola Railway Station under Amrit Bharat Station Yojana

Dharamshala, May 22, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday virtually inaugurated the newly redeveloped Baijnath Paprola railway station in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, from Bikaner, Rajasthan. The station is part of a nationwide initiative under the Amrit Bharat Station Yojana, through which 103 railway stations were inaugurated across the country on the same day.

Constructed at a cost of Rs 7 crore, the Baijnath Paprola station lies on the historic Pathankot–Jogindernagar narrow gauge railway line, built during the British era and currently falling under the Jammu division of Northern Railway.

The redeveloped station now offers a host of modern amenities aimed at enhancing passenger convenience. These include an air-conditioned waiting room, retiring room, baby care room, 20 steel benches, and an overbridge with dedicated parking facilities. The station is also equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, clean toilets, water ATMs, and food courts.

A new platform shelter spanning 1,544 square meters has been constructed. Additionally, the station has two water booths, one water cooler, and special amenities for divyangjans (persons with disabilities) such as separate toilets, entry ramps, dedicated booking windows, and exclusive parking areas. Train signal boards and a coach guidance system have also been installed.

Given its proximity to key religious and tourist destinations such as Baijnath Temple, Jwalamukhi Temple, Chintpurni Temple, Kangra Fort, and Masroor Temple, the upgraded station is expected to greatly benefit both local residents and visiting devotees.

As part of the Amrit Bharat Station Yojana, 1,309 railway stations across India are being redeveloped. In Himachal Pradesh, similar redevelopment projects are underway at Amb Andaura, Palampur, and Shimla railway stations. Planned features at these stations include roof plazas, children’s play areas, food courts, and improved lighting.

Prime Minister Modi stated that the modernization of railway stations will give a significant boost to tourism and employment opportunities across states. He also urged passengers to maintain cleanliness at railway premises.

Present at the inauguration ceremony in Baijnath Paprola were Kangra MP Dr. Rajiv Bhardwaj, Rajya Sabha MP Indu Goswami, and Baijnath MLA Kishori Lal.