OREANDA-NEWS. December 9, 2011. Fifty stations have been identified for development as world class stations in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode by leveraging the real estate potential of the land around and the air space above the stations as per the extant Government guidelines. Bidding process for world class stations in PPP mode can be initiated after Master Plan and Feasibility Report is prepared and in-principle approval of local bodies is obtained. Consultancy works for preparation of Master Plan and Feasibility Report had been taken up for New Delhi, Chatrapathi Shivaji Terminus (CST), Mumbai, Anand Vihar (Phase II), Chandigarh, Bijwasan, Kolkata, Porbandar, Surat, Ahmedabad, Sealdah and Chennai Central. For other stations, preliminary activities have been taken up by the Zonal Railways.

World class railway station projects are primarily envisaged through private investment and Government funds are required only for preparatory works such as consultancies for feasibility reports and advisory services, for which funds are allocated from time to time, as per requirement.

Work at site shall commence after award of concession to the concessionaire and financial closure by the concessionaire. After award of concession, completion of project is likely to take 5 to 6 years due to complexity of work and necessity to undertake the work while keeping the station operational.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Bharatsinh Solanki in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.