Shantiniketan railway station is all set for a makeover
The Statesman | 25 February 2026
Shantiniketan railway station is all set for a makeover under the central government’s ‘Amrit Bharat Station’ project in which the heritage of Santiniketan is to be given a touch of modernity.
The Railways has allocated Rs 18 crore to redevelop Bolpur station. The station building is being redesigned in the artistic and cultural style of Santiniketan. For the convenience of senior citizens and specially-abled persons, new lifts and escalators are being installed. There will be low-height ticket counters for wheelchair users and tactile pathways for visually impaired passengers. A wide and modern foot overbridge will connect one platform to another. Keeping smart connectivity in mind, mobile and laptop charging points and high-speed Wi-Fi will be available. In addition, water coolers and improved RO drinking water facilities will be available, along with ATVMs for ticketing. CCTV surveillance will ensure security. Clean and hygienic modern toilets are being constructed for passengers. Arrangements are also being made for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points to promote eco-friendly transport.
As Santiniketan is a world-renowned tourist destination, a dedicated tourist assistance centre is being set up to guide tourists. The surroundings of the station are being beautified with greenery and attractive lighting. A well-planned, expansive parking zone is being developed for cars and bicycles. Under the One Station One Product (OSOP) scheme, special stalls or kiosks are being arranged at the station to promote local handicrafts and products.
Through the Amrit Bharat Project, the comprehensive transformation of Bolpur–Santiniketan station aims not merely to keep it as a railway station, but to develop it into a ‘city centre’ or the principal hub of the town. With Santiniketan and Visva-Bharati being recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023, tourists from across the country and abroad visit here. The new Tourist Facilitation Centre and the Santiniketan-style architectural aesthetics of the station is also under plans. Under the Amrit Bharat Project, the Railways aims to redevelop Bolpur – Shantiniketan station beyond its old framework and emerge as a modern, safe, and artistic station, transforming the economic and social landscape of Birbhum district.