400 rly stations to get facelift

Govt clears proposal to redevelop them with pvt players

New Delhi: A proposal to redevelop about 400 railway stations in metros and major cities besides pilgrim centres and tourist spots was cleared by the government on Thursday. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave its approval for the redevelopment of railway stations on ‘as is where is’ basis to accelerate the process of revamping them.

Under this model, interested parties coming through open bids would develop the stations with their designs and business ideas while commercial development of real estate would be allowed by the Zonal Railways. The ‘as is where is’ model would entail a much simpler process for faster redevelopment, with more focus on vertical expansion.

“The ‘A-1’ and ‘A’ category stations (about 400) shall be offered for redevelopment by inviting open bids from interested parties”. “These stations are to be developed by leveraging real estate development of land and air space in and around the stations,” a government statement said, adding that the model would also encourage innovative ideas from interested parties “at no cost to the railways”.

These categories of stations are generally located in metros, major cities, pilgrimage centres and important tourist destinations across the country.