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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.
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