Infrastructure
Ankit Saxena
Apr 18, 2023, 01:03 PM | Updated 01:03 PM IST
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The project for redevelopment of major railway stations across the country has gained momentum.
This was thanks to Indian Railways' decision to opt for EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) model over the PPP (public–private partnership) model that it pursued earlier with little success.
Redevelopment of stations envisages provision of spacious roof plaza, facilities such as food court, waiting lounge, children play area, designated space for local products, etc.
Station redevelopment is also expected to create ‘city centre’ like space at the station for the railway commuters as well as general public. The project will integrate various modes of transport such as metro and bus services, with the railway stations.
An analysis by Swarajya showed that 35 railway station redevelopment projects worth over Rs 13,000 crore across 14 zones have been awarded.
Out of the station redevelopment projects awarded so far, Giridhari Lal Constructions has bagged five of them — Nagpur, Secunderabad. Bengaluru Yesvantpur, Surat and Jaipur.
Based out of Bathinda, Giridhari Lal Construction is an EPC contractor that has executed many projects for Military Engineering Services (MES), National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited (NBCC) and Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
Ram Kripal Singh Construction Pvt Ltd, a Ranchi-based engineering firm, has bagged three station redevelopment projects — Delhi Cantonment. New Jalpaiguri and Muzaffarpur.
State-owned enterprises including Bridge & Roof Co (India) Ltd, Braithwaite & Co Ltd and NBCC have been awarded station redevelopment projects.
Among the railway zones, Northern and Southern Railways have awarded six projects each.
The Union Cabinet on 28 September 2022 approved Indian Railways’ proposal for redevelopment of three major railway stations — New Delhi, Ahmedabad and CSMT, Mumbai.
Rani Kamalapati station of West Central Railway, Gandhinagar Capital station of Western Railway and Sir M Visveswaraya Terminal Station of South Western Railway have been developed and commissioned.