Indian Railways via IRSDC needs to create & sustain the interest of all stakeholders in the program: PHD Chamber in a webinar on Business Opportunities with Indian Railways Station Development Corporation Ltd

No.PR-211 August 19, 2020 New Delhi Indian Railways via IRSDC needs to create & sustain the interest of all stakeholders in the program: PHD Chamber in a webinar on Business Opportunities with Indian Railways Station Development Corporation Ltd To showcase and disseminate information regarding the various aspects of the projects on the anvil, understand the existing partnership formats of IRSDC for commercial development and discuss the alternate project structures and their benefits for the concerned stakeholders, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry organized a Webinar on ‘Business Opportunities with Indian Railways Station Development Corporation Ltd’ with Mr. S. K. LOHIA, MD & CEO- Indian Railway Stations, Development Corporation (IRSDC) and Mr. Milan Dostal, Commercial and Economic Consular, Embassy of the Czech Republic in New Delhi. Mr. S. K. LOHIA while deliberating about the Indian Railways’ Station Redevelopment Program mentioned that with the recent developments with the concerned ministries, now we can approve all the layout and building plans to function as one across the country. Giving a brief history of the projects undertaken by IRSDC, Mr. Lohia he mentioned that with the support of the government and private players, we have been to able to successfully apply a single window system and are working with multiple agencies for extensive project development. He discussed the recent projects and stations under construction Pan-India, intending to create world-class infrastructure at the same time involve real estate and other sectors in the projects for cross-benefit. He discussed the opportunities for private sectors that include Integrated Station Management; Station Redevelopment and, Land Monetisation. He also discussed how IRSDC is transforming the old railway stations with upgraded facilities creating an all together enriched travel experience and, generating more employment opportunities. Mr. Milan Dostal while giving his presentation on Experience and Potential of the Czech Republic with Railways Stations Redevelopment gave an in-depth outline of the development of railways in the Czech Republic. He mentioned that Railways’ infrastructure has been pivotal for the Czech Republic in the view of tourist and public usage. There have been projects undertaken for making railway infrastructure modernized and need some reconstructions. Mr. Veenu Jain, Chair, PHD Railways Committee while giving an industry perspective discussed that Indian Railway has currently been focusing on Modernization & Up-gradation overall infrastructure with projects for the Railway Station Development & Modernization. Deliberating about the Indian Railways’ Station Redevelopment Program said that it is one of India’s largest infrastructure programs, He also talked about some of the sailent features i.e. to redevelop around 400 stations across 100 cities with approximately 2,700 acres of encroachment free land available for commercial development in multiple phases. Further discussing about the infrastructure development program, Mr. Jain highlighted that some of the amenities envisaged in this program include segregating arriving and departure streams of passengers; surface or basement parking; seamless accessibility for the specially-abled; swipe ticket entry machines; well-lit circulating area; clean and modern washrooms; free and paid Wi-Fi options, pharmacy; ATMs; CCTV with integrated security system; ramps for differently-abled; F&B and entertainment facilities; hotels, lounges, conference facilities and among others. He mentioned that the redevelopment program will serve dual benefits i.e. new and modern amenities will be provided at railway stations, and world-class infrastructure will be developed in the vicinity of these stations. With its core aim to develop/ redevelop world-class railway stations on Pan-India basis and create 24×7 active city-centers called ‘RAILOPOLIS’ by integrating commercial and active public spaces connected with various modes of transportation. Indian Railways is taking many paths to achieve these mega station redevelopment goals by including modified form PPP model, PPP through the traditional model, collaboration with state governments, ministries and agencies, and many other processes, said Mr. Veenu Jain. Mr. Veenu Jain highlighted that Indian Railways via IRSDC needs to create and sustain the interest of all stakeholders in the program. While detailed planning and tenders by IRSDC are already underway in all areas, there is still a need to disseminate more information regarding the various parameters of these new initiatives, business opportunities, steps to collaborate, while investing a sense of trust amongst the industry stakeholders. Mr. Ravi Gupta, Co-Chair, PHD Railways Committee delivered a formal vote of thanks to all the delegates and participants. The session was moderated by Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, Principal Director, PHDCCI, and was attended by Mr. Ranjan Dhingra, Co-Chair, PHD Railways Committee; Mr. Vivek Agarwala, Chair, International Affairs Committee for Africa, PHDCCI and other industry stalwarts pan-India. Ends Media Division PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry