The Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC) is now undertaking works for the revamping of numerous railway stations across India. For this, IRSDC is currently inviting Requests for Proposal (RFP) for the redevelopment of three railway stations viz. Chandigarh, Anand Vihar, and Bijwasan.
World-Class Experience
Soon, Indian Railways is aiming to have world-class airport-like railway stations! Currently, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the national transporter is carrying out the redevelopment work of many Indian Railways stations through the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) and IRCON. The development is planned through leveraging commercial development of vacant land in and around station premises.
The redevelopment works of Habibganj and Gandhinagar railway stations into world-class travel hubs are currently in progress. The redevelopment work of Habibganj station is being carried out by IRSDC on the public-private partnership (PPP) model. The project is in partnership with the Bansal Group.
As per an IRSDC official, the redeveloped Habibganj railway station is expected to be ready in the first half of 2020. The redeveloped Gandhinagar railway station is likely to be ready by the end of this year.
India’s First World-Class Station
The Habibganj station is going to be the nation’s first world-class station. It is being revamped on the outlines of Germany’s Heidelberg station. Post restoration, Habibganj station will boast a green construction with LED lights, glass dome-like arrangement on the entry, decongested station platforms, luxury waiting lounge, modular toilets, gaming area, museum, and several added features.
Project cost: around ₹100 crores, while ₹350 crores are expected to be spent on commercial expansion
Gandhinagar Station
Indian Railways is all set to offer its travellers with a high-class, airport-like travel hub- the Gandhinagar railway station. Once redevelopment takes place, the plan will boast various modern features plus a dedicated transit with 600 commuter chairs, food, and bookstalls, kiosks, shops, toilets, etc. It also envisages setting up a five-star hotel above the railway station.
Project cost: ₹250 crore
Many other railway stations are likely to be transformed into swanky travel hubs including Surat, Shivaji Nagar, Biayyappanahalli, Thakurli, Nagpur, Gwalior, Amritsar, Gandhinagar (Jaipur), Sabarmati and Kanpur stations.
Key Information
- All RFPs are based on mixed-use development of land parcels on a leasehold basis for up to 99 years.
- The RFP documents will be available for download from 10 January 2020 at https://www.etenders.gov.in/eprocure/app.
News Source: Financial Express
Image Source: Google Images
