Indian Railway To Redevelop Stations Across India, Here’s What They Will Look Like

On Wednesday, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the redevelopment of three major railway stations in India, that is New Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai. The redevelopment project of these significant railway stations will involve an approximate investment of Rs 10,000 crore and it is also expected to create over 35,000 jobs and improve the daily experience of more than 2 million passengers in the process too.

A total of 199 stations across the country are to be redeveloped in the first phase. The stations see a footfall of 50 lakhs per day. Out of the 199 stations, tenders have already been issued for 47 stations and work is already under process at 32 stations. The tenders for the 3 major stations—New Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai will be issued in the next 10 days. The redevelopment of all 199 stations will include an approximate total investment of nearly Rs 60,000 Cr.

India is planning to renovate 199 railway stations

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, addressing the media after the cabinet decision, said that work on the redevelopment of all 199 stations is going on through the EPC model i.e. engineering, procurement, and construction. The stations have a footfall of over 50 lakh passengers per day.

The tenders for New Delhi, Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, and Ahmedabad will be issued in 10 days.

He added,

“Out of these 199 stations, tenders have been issued for 47 stations. Master planning and design for the remaining is underway. Work is progressing fast for 32 stations”

The New Delhi and Mumbai stations were previously scheduled to be redeveloped by using the Design, Built, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model. According to an Economic Times report, the railway authorities later changed their mind in March 2022. The redevelopment of these two stations will now begin by using the Hybrid Built, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model.

Bids are to be awarded to the developers who quote the lowest

Vaishnaw also said that this is being done in order to keep the costs in check for passengers using the Indian railway network. Rail Ministry officials told Economic Times that as per the design parameters the bids will be awarded to the developers who quote the lowest amount for redeveloping the stations.

Target time of redevelopment

The redevelopment of the New Delhi railway station is aimed to be completed in 3.5 years. The other two are to be redeveloped within a span of 2.5 years. The redevelopment will supposedly create 35 acres of additional space. Of these 15 acres are in Delhi Station, 15 acres in Ahmedabad, and 5 acres in Mumbai.

World-class facilities in railway stations

At a media conference, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said,

“The railways cater to the middle-income, lower-income, and middle class. We are creating the best facility with government investment. The best designs and construction techniques are being used to ensure that every passenger and our common citizen get world-class facilities created with investment from the Indian government so that there is no extra burden on passengers”

Design of the railway stations

New Delhi railway station will supposedly integrate the train services with buses, autos, and metro rail services. Ahmedabad railway station’s redesign is actually inspired by the Modhera sun temple and sun-themed architecture.

The standard elements of the stations’ design

1. Under the redevelopment project, every station is to have a spacious roof plaza above the tracks with all passenger amenities in one place. It will include spaces for retail, cafeterias, and other recreational facilities.

2. With the station building on both sides of the railway tracks both sides of the city will be connected to the station. The master plan with adequate parking facilities has been prepared for the smooth movement of traffic.

3. All the facilities that we have seen in the airports, like a food court, waiting lounge, a place for local products, etc., will be made available in the railway stations.

4. The stations which are located within the city will have a city center-like place. There will be proper illumination, way finding signage, acoustics, and lifts/escalators/travelators to make the stations comfortable.

5. There will also be separate arrival and departure areas just like in the airports, fully covered platforms, clutter-free platforms, and improved surfaces.

6. As per an official statement, green building techniques will be used, with solar energy, water conservation and recycling, and improved tree cover.

7. These stations are to be developed on the concept of “intelligent building”. The stations will be made safe with the installation of CCTV and access control.

8. The CSMT is one of the busiest railway stations in the country and will function like a city centre rail mall which will in turn cater to most of the daily needs of passengers passing through the premises.

9. Ahmedabad railway station’s iconic design will have a huge arch which is inspired by the Modhera sun temple. For smooth traffic movement, elevated network roads and also a stepwell amphitheater for cultural events will be made available at the station. Ahmedabad railway’s new iconic towers and arch will serve as a new landmark.