India to get 10 'airport-like' railway stations by 2020
In three years, India will have 10 railway stations with airport-like amenities. The government has allocated Rs. 5,000cr for the purpose. The stations that have been chosen for refurbishment by 2020 are Sarai Rohilla (Delhi), Gomti Nagar and Lucknow (UP), Kota (Rajasthan), Tirupati and Nellore (AP), Ernakulam (Kerala), Puducherry, Madgaon and Thane (Maharashtra). Work will start by December or early next year.
What would the initiative entail?
The first phase would focus on redevelopment of core infrastructure including platforms, ticket counters, lounges, parking and other amenities. The stations would also get separate terminals for arrival and departure like airports. State-run NBCC has been roped in for the project. Indian Railways has chosen 400 stations for redevelopment on a PPP model. It is currently bidding them out to private companies.
It's a win-win for the NBCC too
In lieu, NBCC would be given commercial exploitation rights on these stations' land for 45 years. It could build/lease land to hotels, multiplexes and other businesses, or restructure it for residential purposes. Once these 10 stations are done, NBCC can be allotted more. It is currently overseeing redevelopment of other government properties on similar models, including Sarojini Nagar and Nauroji Nagar in Delhi.
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