PUNE: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget speech on Saturday announced that four railway stations will be redeveloped on Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model. However, in 2013 it had been announced that five stations would be redeveloped, including Shivajinagar station. Till now, the progress of the station is at a standstill.

Of the five stations announced for redevelopment in 2013, work has progressed at four stations: Habibganj (Bhopal), Chandigarh, Anand Vihar and Brijvasan (both in New Delhi). Shivajinagar station was on the list but there is no progress in six years.

The plan was made in March 2013 by Indian Railways Station Development Corporation (IRSDC) for well-designed and spacious platforms, high-quality waiting rooms, easy access to platforms and state-of-the-art catering facilities.

Officials from Central Railway were reluctant to share their views on the Shivajinagar station project. IRSDC officials said, “The work on finalisation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) is on and tenders for the projects will be called as soon as the DPR and business plan are finalised.”

Steps for improving infrastructure

• The Finance Minister proposed the following five measures for optimisation of costs
• Setting up large solar power plant alongside rail tracks on land owned by the Railways.
• Four station re-development projects and operation of 150 passenger trains would be done through the PPP model.
• More Tejas-type trains will connect iconic tourist destinations.
• High-speed train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad would be actively pursued.
• 148-km Bengaluru suburban transport project at a cost of Rs 18,600 crore. Central Government would provide 20% equity and facilitate external assistance up to 60% of project cost.

National cold supply chain

• With an aim to build a seamless national cold supply chain for ‘perishables’, The minister proposed that the Indian Railways will set up a ‘Krishi Rail’, through PPP arrangements. “There will be refrigerated coaches in the express and freight trains,” Finance Minister said. Indian Railways has taken initiatives on development of cold chain for transportation of perishable products which include cold storage facilities for perishables. The project is under construction at Lasalgaon, Nashik.