New Delhi Railway Station Revamp Project Cost Revised To Rs 2,469 crore After Multiple Failed Attempts To Secure Bidders

The Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) has announced the reopening of the bidding process for the redevelopment of the New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS), with a revised project value of Rs 2,469 crore. This decision follows a previous bidding attempt in December 2023, which was halted due to insufficient suitable responses.

RLDA officials said the redevelopment of the station has been in the works since 2021, but found no takers due to the high costs involved — the initial estimate for the revamp was Rs 15,000 crore, reports Hindustan Times.

The redevelopment of New Delhi station is crucial for the Railways as it handles about 400 trains per day with about 450,000 footfalls daily.

The mega project involves replacing the existing structure with a twin dome-shaped facade at New Delhi station. In September 2022, the Union Cabinet sanctioned Rs 10,000 crore for the redevelopment of three major railway stations — New Delhi, Ahmedabad, and CSMT in Mumbai.

However, the tender was discharged in May 2023 as the bidders quoted much higher price than the allotted cost.

Reducing the scope of work, the RLDA had issued a fresh tender in its fourth attempt for the much-awaited redevelopment of the New Delhi Railway Station at an estimated cost of Rs 4,700 crore in July 2023. It was also withdrawn in February 2024, leading the RLDA to fragment the project into smaller tenders to attract a wider range of bidders.

Key Features of the Redevelopment Plan

The innovative terraced, infinity shape of the station building spans three floors, providing a spacious concourse. Functioning as a terminal for transit-oriented development, it will serve as a multi-modal hub, catering to various transportation modes.

The comprehensive redevelopment plan encompasses the construction of two new station buildings on the Paharganj and Ajmeri Gate sides. Key features will include an air-conditioned concourse, dedicated arrival and departure plazas, a spacious waiting area, as well as lifts and escalators to enhance accessibility.

The station will have separate areas for arrivals and departures, clutter-free platforms, improved surfaces, and fully covered platforms for passenger comfort.

Safety will be ensured with CCTV cameras and access control systems throughout the stations.

Additionally, the project aims to improve the elevated and ground-level road networks to facilitate seamless connectivity to the station and mitigate road congestion in the surrounding areas.

A significant challenge for the project is addressing congestion around the station. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw underscored this issue during a recent Idea Exchange event, noting that the station must not only streamline railway operations but also improve overall transportation efficiency in the vicinity.

He reiterated the Prime Minister’s vision for the station to function as a central hub, linking both sides of the city and accommodating various modes of transport.