Bantwal: Bantwal Railway Station is undergoing a significant transformation that now greets visitors with the look and feel of a corporate campus. With a well-paved dual carriageway, landscaped gardens, modern parking facilities, designer streetlights, and expansive platforms, the station is being revamped to create a more passenger-friendly environment.
The development is part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, which aims to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of railway stations across India. The ₹28.49 crore upgradation project was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2024. Currently, the final stages of construction are underway, with granite tiling and other finishing touches expected to be completed in a month or two.
In response to complaints and concerns raised about the project’s progress, Railway Minister of State and Dakshina Kannada MP intervened, prompting a site inspection by Shilpa Agarwal, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), and Arvind Srivastava, GM of Hubballi under South Western Railway’s Mysuru division. The inspection accelerated the pace of the work.
Highlights of the transformation:
A grand entrance gateway has been built, giving the station a fresh identity.
Platforms on both sides have been extended and are now equipped with shelters.
A Foot Over Bridge (FOB) built two years ago has been renovated.
A new ticket booking counter with advance booking facilities has been set up.
Separate waiting rooms, a canteen, and four catering stalls are being introduced for passenger comfort.
Modern and hygienic toilet facilities are available on the platforms.
A segregated parking system for two-wheelers, cars, and auto-rickshaws ensures smooth traffic flow.
The dual carriageway leading to the station is well-lit with heritage-style streetlights.
The station is also equipped with CCTV surveillance, Wi-Fi for passengers, and digital display boards for train and platform information.
Once completed, the upgraded Bantwal Railway Station is set to become a model for station modernization in semi-urban India, offering both utility and aesthetics in line with the government’s broader rail infrastructure vision.
