Several railway stations in Odisha would be modernised to leverage commercial potential around them under an ambitious redevelopment plan being implemented jointly by the Indian Railways and the State Governments.
The Ministry of Railways has written to the State Government to identifying railways stations having spare land in and around them for taking up commercial activities. It is a part of the Railways that has planned to develop 400 railway stations across the country.
Railway Board Chairman AK Mittal has said that there would be an integrated planning of redevelopment of railway stations and surrounding parts of the cities, which have features of local aesthetics, culture, historical importance, religious tourist importance and social values.
The Indian Railway land Development Authority would be a partner with the designated agency to be chosen by the State Government for undertaking such activities to provide more facilities to general public and generate more resources for development, said Mittal.
The proposed redevelopment of railway stations would boost commercial activities of the concerned city and industrial pursuits as well.
In the meantime, an MoU has been signed by the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Urban Development for integrating planning of development of Smart Cities and AMRUT City programme with railway station redevelopment.
Similar approach would be taken with the State Government designated agency for taking up redevelopment programme.
An iconic structure with modern state-of-the-art facilities, congestion free entry and exit to stations and segregation of arrival and departure would be emphasised under the programme. All essential facilities like catering, small retails, washrooms, cloak rooms, drinking water, ATMs, pharmacy and internet would be available.
Integration with other modes of transports like bus and metro for entry and exit would be available. Other facilities like shopping, hospitality, food courts and medical facilities to be provided.
Business centers, skill development centres, social infrastructure and commercial use of land and air space for at least 45 years would be provided under the programme.