Infra ind eyes projects to develop railway stations

Infrastructure players said today the Railway Budget proposal to develop stations through private-public partnership (PPP) is a step in the right direction but called for timely implementation of the projects.

Industry officials said the proposals, if implemented properly, will give a boost to the industry.

"It is a welcome decision," Hindustan Construction Company CMD Ajit Gulabchand said, but added that the projects should be completed in a time-bound manner.

Simplex Projects CMD B K Mundhra also hailed the announcement but said the PPP model should be developed in such a way that masses benefit from it.

"The model of development should be such that it caters to the needs of the masses," he said.

On whether his company would participate in the projects when they are implemented, Mundhra said, "We will look at participating in the process if the model is right."

Presenting the Railway Budget 2009-10, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee called for the development of 50 world class stations in the country, with international facilities, "through innovative financing and PPP mode".

Some of the 50 stations to be developed, include CST Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Howrah, Sealdah, Varanasi, New Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur, Kanpur, Chennai Central, and Bangalore City.

Banerjee also said that this year 375 'Adarsh' stations will be developed, with emphasis on basic amenities such as drinking water, clean and adequate toilets, catering services and waiting rooms, especially for women.