Railways plan facelift for 335 stations

Financial powers of Divisional Railway Managers increased, asked to engage architects

Its finances on track, the Indian Railways has decided to spread the cheer around and tackle the one area that can make journey on it such a nightmare. The Ministry has decided to engage private architects to spruce up 335 railway stations across the country.

All its 67 Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs) have been directed to engage the architects and come back within six months with detailed plans.

The DRMs have been asked to identify five railway stations each within their divisions, which will be revamped and fully equipped with amenities like toilets, eateries, cyber-cafes and ATMs. The signs and public address systems are also in for a facelift.

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The 335 stations to be refurbished will include those at all state capitals, in the four major metros and at tourist destinations like Agra, Darjeeling, Ooty and Udaipur, apart from other Class A railway stations.

To ensure that the works do not get caught in red tape, the DRMs have been empowered to sanction works up to Rs 30 lakh without seeking permission from either the Zonal Railways or the Railway Board. Earlier, the DRMs could not sanction works worth more than Rs 5 lakh.

Sources said that the Railway Ministry was open to a Public-Private Partnership model in some of the areas. It has already adopted this model for setting up ATMs at railway stations, and is mulling it to build and operate toilets and refurnish and renovate waiting rooms and retiring rooms.

‘‘ The Railways have made a lot of money of late. Now is the time to spend it in a way that we increase our mass base and generate goodwill,’’ said a senior ministry official.