Railways floats tender to build rail arcade at KSR railway station

Indian Railways has floated a tender for setting up and maintaining a rail arcade at the Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) railway station of Chandigarh and Bengaluru railway station for nine years. The initiative aims to provide high-class passenger-centric facilities and improve the travelling experience. The rail arcade, constructed at stations, is likely to be a mini-city centre providing leisure, food and beverage, entertainment, and retail amenities for passengers. It is a part of the overall statutory body of the railway to undertake the entire facility management of five railway stations over the national network of the transporter, comprising Chandigarh, Secunderabad, Pune, Anand Vihar, and Bengaluru. Mr S.K. Lohia, Managing Director and CEO, IRSDC, told the media that it would allow the passengers to use their waiting time into relaxation hours. Rail Arcade would generate commercial activities and a huge step in converting railway stations into a RAILOPOLIS, a mini smart-city. As per IRSDC, the concessionaire would be responsible for remodelling the development area, including commercial, entertainment, and leisure space. The coming Rail Arcade would also comprise handloom and artefacts, Food & Beverage (F&B), gifts stores, books and magazines, and pharmaceutical stores as well. According to media reports, the facility management of 90 additional stations would be undertaken by IRSDC soon. IRSDC is also driving the station redevelopment agenda by the Central Government. As a part of this program, redevelopment work on 125 stations is ongoing. Of which, IRSDC is working on 63 stations, RLDA on 60, and the remaining two by Railways. Image Source Also read: Culvert project near Velachery railway station to be completed by Oct