A proposal to redevelop about 400 railways stations in
metros and major cities besides pilgrim centres and tourist spots was cleared
by the government. This approval will enable the Union Ministry of Railways to
accelerate the redevelopment of ‘A-1’ and ‘A’ category railway stations across
the country. These stations generally are located in major cities, metros,
pilgrimage centres and important tourist destinations. The Union Cabinet,
chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave its approval for redevelopment of
the 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.
Under this initiative, major stations will be redeveloped by
leveraging real estate development of land and air space in and around the
stations. It also includes permitting commercial development of real estate by
the Zonal Railways. Swiss Challenge: In this method, government agencies are
required to invite bids for a public project such as a port or railways. Under
this method the bid is invited from third parties to match or exceed or improve
the existing bid. Finally, the original bidder gets to lower the bid or accept
the new bid. Categorisation of A-1 and A category railway stations: At present,
Indian Railway’s based on earnings classify 7000 railway stations into seven
categories. A-1 category railway stations are those non-suburban stations with
50 crore rupees and above annual passenger earnings. While, Category A railway
stations comprises non-suburban stations with 6 crore to 50 crore rupees annual
passenger earnings.
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