Cabinet decisions: Proposal to redevelop railway stations cleared

The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal for redevelopment of railway stations on an “as is where is” basis by inviting open bids from interested parties who will submit their designs and business ideas.

As part of the proposal, the concerned zonal railways would permit commercial development of real estate, including land and air space in and around the stations to enable their redevelopment.

“This approval will enable the ministry of railways to accelerate the redevelopment of around 400 A1 and A category stations,” said an official release. The scheme will also encourage innovative ideas from interested parties at no cost to the railways.

“Anyone can participate in this bidding with their designs and business ideas by providing the operational requirements of railways for running trains at these stations,” Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had said in his Budget speech this year A1 and A category of stations are generally located in metros, major cities, pilgrimage centres and important tourist destinations across the country.

The Cabinet nod for the new model will supplement the work done by Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation (IRSDC) Limited.

Also approved

• Courtrooms a click away: Phase II of a project to computerise courtrooms and connect them with jails through video conferencing facility so that cases of undertrials can be heard at a faster pace
  

 

Trading beyond borders: Utilisation of India’s capital contribution to SAARC Development Fund for promoting cross-border infrastructure projects, trade and growth
 

Cultivating hope: Signing and ratification of an intergovernmental pact between India and Armenia on cooperation in agriculture
 

Sky’s the limit: Signing of a pact between India and Canada to enhance technical knowledge in the field of civil aviation and deepen bilateral cooperation between them
 

Banking on: Additional Rs 700 crore for the recapitalisation of weak regional rural banks
 

On a power trip: Power transmission project worth Rs 8,548.68 covering seven states, including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra

 

Middle-of-the-road: Six-laning of Eastern Peripheral Expressway in Haryana and UP at an estimated cost of Rs 7,558 crore