In a major boost to railway infrastructure in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the newly redeveloped Thawe Junction (Gopalganj) and Pirpainti Station (Bhagalpur) under the ambitious Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS). These modernized stations are part of a nationwide effort to enhance passenger convenience, safety, and regional connectivity through upgraded facilities and smart infrastructure.

📍 1. National Transformation Drive: Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS)

• Objective: Modernize over 1,300 railway stations in India in phases.
• Focus Areas:
• Modern passenger amenities
• Clean energy use
• Digital displays, waiting lounges, security upgrades
• Green building norms
• Vision: Develop railway stations into urban transport hubs, not just transit points.

🏗 2. Thawe Junction (Gopalganj, Bihar) – Redevelopment Overview

🚧 Details of Upgradation:

• Budget: ₹11.75 crore
• Location: North Eastern Railway (Varanasi division)
• Covered area:
• Station building: 400 sq. meters
• Circulating area: 1,030 sq. meters
• Infrastructure Additions:
• Spacious waiting area
• Modern ticket counters
• Better illumination and security
• Advanced signages for easy navigation

🌍 Strategic Value:

• Direct connectivity to:
• Gorakhpur, a major North India hub
• Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh
• Near the revered Thawe Kali Mandir, drawing religious tourists throughout the year.

🛠 3. Pirpainti Station (Bhagalpur) – Key Enhancements

🚧 Renovation Features:

• Budget: ₹18.93 crore
• Location: Eastern Railway (Malda Division)
• Key additions:
• Widened foot-over-bridges
• Food plaza, providing travelers with more meal options
• Renovated waiting halls and sitting areas
• Digitized ticket-booking counters
• Enhanced station façade

📌 Why Pirpainti?

• Serves large population of rural Bhagalpur & adjacent districts
• Acts as a gateway for travelers to Jharkhand border areas
• High daily footfall, particularly during agricultural harvest and festival seasons

🗣 4. PM Modi’s National Message

During his virtual address, the Prime Minister said:

"We are committed to redefining passenger experience through transformation of railway stations. These upgraded facilities are symbols of New India's infrastructure revolution."

• Stressed that railway development isn’t just about trains—it's about regional balance, connectivity, and ease of life.
• Linked the projects to India’s march toward ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

📈 5. Wider Socio-Economic Implications

• Commerce:
• Improved stations attract small businesses (vendors, kiosks, taxi services)
• Development of adjacent real estate
• Employment:
• Short-term: Construction jobs, vendors, security staff
• Long-term: Boost in tourism and local transport sectors
• Mobility:
• Quicker, safer movement for students, workers, and pilgrims
• Relief from congestion at nearby stations like Bhagalpur and Siwan

🔄 6. How It Fits into Larger Plans

• Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is a modular and scalable plan:
• Start with essential upgrades
• Add features as passenger demand grows
• These stations will act as models for future redevelopment of smaller rail hubs across India

🌐 7. Local Sentiments & Reactions

• Public feedback from Thawe and Pirpainti regions indicates:
• High satisfaction with the improved sanitation and sitting areas
• Appreciation for focus on elderly- and differently-abled-friendly amenities
• Civic bodies and local MLAs have lauded the move, calling it a step toward “railway decentralization” in Bihar

🔚 Conclusion

The inauguration of Thawe and Pirpainti stations is more than just a ceremonial event — it marks the arrival of 21st-century infrastructure in towns that were once overlooked. Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, these revamps represent a commitment to equality in infrastructure access, proving that modernization is reaching every corner of India, not just its metros.