Redevelopment of Railway Stations gaining momentum under SRIJAN initiative
New Delhi, March 14: Change is the need of life. Accepting changes by making redevelopments in some sectors will however lead to advancement of that particular thing. Likewise the Railways have also come across various schemes with the perspective to craft a station such that it attracts tourism and development of the country. In this regard, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal held a consultation with architects and planners to discuss issues related to the ambitious Rs one lakh crore Station Redevelopment Project.
As a nodal agency, the Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC), is taking up redevelopment of around 600 major Railway stations across the country. A total of 110 professionals from 54 firms participated in the meeting.
During the meeting Goyal said that in view of the financial condition of Indian Railways and the paying capacity of public, there is a need for finding solutions that meet the aspirations of travelling public at low cost.
He further added that they shall work on providing innovative solutions tailored to uniquely Indian conditions. I am confident that we will eventually be in a position to share the expertise in other countries as well. The consultation meeting held with architects was aimed to understand the issues and difficulties in participating in development and redevelopment of railway stations.
Goyal has assured the participants that as desired the empanelment will be made in more categories and name of the architect will be included in the plaque, the statement said. The Minster also directed IRSDC to take up the capacity building of consultants as station development is as yet a new field.
The Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC), a Railways’ joint venture company has launched the project on the mygov.com portal. The department has also instigated people in the project as an attempt to take ideas from them over the renovation procedure and get new themes. However it is said that the last date for addressing your proposal has been dated to be March 26.
This is a first of its kind crowd sourcing competition open for all in order to invite innovative, scalable, low cost and high impact ideas from stakeholders for upgrading the look and feel of the railway stations and transform the functional utility and raise the revenue generation. This will also lower operations and maintenance cost of the railway stations.
The winners of the competition will receive letters of commendations and shortlisted participants may get an opportunity to professionally associate with the IRSDC. The IRSDC has already carried one round of empanelment of agencies for design of stations to shorten the process of engaging qualified and experienced firms to design the stations.