Govt planning privatisation of 90 railway stations
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Govt planning privatisation of 90 railway stations

The Indian Railways is considering the privatisation of 90 train stations and is exploring several options, including looking at the arrangements at privately run airports, to determine the best possible ways to set up the security infrastructure at the stations.

Indian Railways, which runs the fourth largest railways network in the world, set the process in motion in 2019 to let private companies run and operate certain stations in a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The move has been steered by the Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation (IRSDC).

The railway body sought the opinion from all principal chief security commissioners of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and all zonal railways on how the security infrastructure for the 90 stations should be set up.

Replicating the airports’ model has been considered as one of the options where the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), a government paramilitary unit, is contracted by the operator, which pays their salaries.


4th Indian Cement Review Conference 2021

17-18 March 

Click for event info


A committee examining these details has suggested that security and access control services (barring maintenance of assets that enable them), to be kept out of the agreement with the private companies. Station Facility Management (SFM) will come up, following the agreement.

The railway board has sought these inputs by March 15. Last year in October, the government decided to set up a committee to draft a blueprint for transferring the operations of 150 trains and 50 railway stations to private firms. Niti Aayog, in a letter to the railway board, stated that an empowered group be formed to drive the process in a time bound manner.

In September last year, the ministry said it opened the request for qualification (RFQ) process of the bidding for eight railway stations—Tirupati, Amritsar, Sabarmati, Nellore, Puducherry, Gwalior, Dehradun and Nagpur. The ministry had told the media that private developers had shown interest, and accordingly, RFQ applications for all eight stations had been received.

Work has also begun on the redevelopment at Habibganj and Gandhinagar and awarded contracts for redevelopment of Bijwasan (Northern Railway), Chandigarh (Northern Railway) and Anand Vihar (Northern Railway) railway stations.

The Railways has also decided to start levying an additional fee on train fares across its redeveloped stations. The user development fee is similar to what airports charge and will be used by the national transporter for the first time.

Indian Railways also plans to introduce private trains on its network in phases, with the first dozen due to start running in the 2023-24 financial year, and all 151 by 2027.

Image Source


Also read: RLDA is developing 62 stations on PPP mode: VC

Also read: Private train operations: GMR, L&T, Welspun to participate in RFP

The Indian Railways is considering the privatisation of 90 train stations and is exploring several options, including looking at the arrangements at privately run airports, to determine the best possible ways to set up the security infrastructure at the stations. Indian Railways, which runs the fourth largest railways network in the world, set the process in motion in 2019 to let private companies run and operate certain stations in a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The move has been steered by the Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation (IRSDC). The railway body sought the opinion from all principal chief security commissioners of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and all zonal railways on how the security infrastructure for the 90 stations should be set up. Replicating the airports’ model has been considered as one of the options where the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), a government paramilitary unit, is contracted by the operator, which pays their salaries.4th Indian Cement Review Conference 202117-18 March Click for event infoA committee examining these details has suggested that security and access control services (barring maintenance of assets that enable them), to be kept out of the agreement with the private companies. Station Facility Management (SFM) will come up, following the agreement. The railway board has sought these inputs by March 15. Last year in October, the government decided to set up a committee to draft a blueprint for transferring the operations of 150 trains and 50 railway stations to private firms. Niti Aayog, in a letter to the railway board, stated that an empowered group be formed to drive the process in a time bound manner. In September last year, the ministry said it opened the request for qualification (RFQ) process of the bidding for eight railway stations—Tirupati, Amritsar, Sabarmati, Nellore, Puducherry, Gwalior, Dehradun and Nagpur. The ministry had told the media that private developers had shown interest, and accordingly, RFQ applications for all eight stations had been received. Work has also begun on the redevelopment at Habibganj and Gandhinagar and awarded contracts for redevelopment of Bijwasan (Northern Railway), Chandigarh (Northern Railway) and Anand Vihar (Northern Railway) railway stations. The Railways has also decided to start levying an additional fee on train fares across its redeveloped stations. The user development fee is similar to what airports charge and will be used by the national transporter for the first time. Indian Railways also plans to introduce private trains on its network in phases, with the first dozen due to start running in the 2023-24 financial year, and all 151 by 2027. Image Source Also read: RLDA is developing 62 stations on PPP mode: VCAlso read: Private train operations: GMR, L&T, Welspun to participate in RFP

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India To Invest $37 Billion To Boost Petrochemical Capacity

India is set to become a major global player in the petrochemicals industry, driven by a planned capital expenditure of $37 billion (Rs 3.1 trillion) aimed at reducing import dependency and enhancing self-sufficiency, according to S&P Global Ratings.In its latest report titled “First China, Now India: Self-Sufficiency Goals Will Add To Petrochemicals Supply”, S&P said India’s large-scale capacity expansion—mirroring China’s earlier push—will likely intensify oversupply pressures in Asia’s petrochemical markets.Currently the world’s third-largest petrochemical consumer a..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Indian Railways Expands Global Exports Of Rail Equipment

Indian Railways has announced that it is rapidly emerging as a global exporter of railway equipment, including bogies, coaches, locomotives, and propulsion systems, under the government’s ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ initiative.According to an official statement, India’s railway products are now reaching over 16 international markets, reflecting the country’s growing capacity to design, develop, and deliver world-class rail solutions.Metro coaches have been exported to Australia and Canada; bogies to the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, France, and Australia; propulsion systems t..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

RailTel Awards Rs 163 Million Contract To RTNS Technology

RailTel Corporation of India Limited (RailTel), a Mini Ratna Public Sector Undertaking, has awarded a domestic work order worth Rs 163 million to RTNS Technology Private Limited.The contract, issued on 30 September 2025, involves the supply and installation of equipment and related services for one of RailTel’s key customers. The project underscores RailTel’s commitment to advancing technology and communication infrastructure through collaboration with domestic system integrators.RTNS Technology Private Limited, an ISO-certified system integrator, provides comprehensive solutions for perim..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?