Railways to E-auction 100 stations for redevelopment via public-private partnership

Railways to E-auction 100 stations for redevelopment via public-private partnership 

NEW DELHI: Indian Railways is on track to take the e-auction route for the first time for redevelopment of stations through public-private partnership (PPP).

The cash-strapped operator is working on a policy for e-auctioning contracts for about 100 railway stations in a bid to overcome the bureaucratic hurdles faced by private companies while undertaking PPP projects, a top railway board official said. The official, who did not wish to be named, said private players will be able to submit their bids online, after which a technical committee will study and approve the bids. He added that private players tasked with converting the railway stations into world-class transit facilities will be given a specified area within the station premises and around it to be exploited commercially.

"The space given to companies for commercial development will be such that they get decent returns. Joint ventures will be formed at the divisional level for the project," the official said. 

Source :The Economic Times.