Malaysian companies show interest in redeveloping 7 stations

New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) The Indian Railways on Tuesday said a consortium of Malaysian developers has shown interest in redeveloping seven railway stations after meeting Railway Board members here.

According to officials in the Railway Ministry, a Malaysian delegation visited Rail Bhavan on Tuesday and had a meeting with the senior officials of Railway Board.

In the meeting, the Malaysian delegation showed interest in redeveloping seven railway stations -- Udaipur City, Indore, Howrah, Faridabad, Secunderabad, Bandra and Pune.

Dato Sri Zohari Haji Akob, the Secretary General Works of the Government of Malaysia, who is also the Nodal Officer for projects investment in India, led the delegation along with the High Commissioner of Malaysia in India.

In order to improve passengers' experience and provide enhanced amenities, the Indian Railways has planned to redevelop 400-plus stations across the country.

Under the redevelopment plan of the stations, the Indian Railways will lease out its land to private developers who will commercially exploit the land parcels and, in turn, redevelop stations.

While the lease period will be for 45 years, the developers will be required to maintain the stations for 15 years.

Currently, 23 stations, including the seven mentioned earlier, have been put up for bidding.

In the first phase, 23 stations will be bid out. Beside seven stations, the railways will also bid out Chennai Central, Ranchi, Udaipur City, Indore, Yesvantpur, Bengaluru Cantt., Visakhapatnam, Howrah, Kamakhya, Faridabad, Jammu Tawi, Secunderabad, Vijayawada, Kozhikode and Bhopal.

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