Now Reading: Railways to turn vacant station decks into retail hubs in Mumbai
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Railways to turn vacant station decks into retail hubs in Mumbai
Indian Railways has finalised a policy to monetise vacant elevated deck spaces at busy Mumbai suburban stations. Andheri, Borivali, Khar Road and Mira Road are among the first stations where operators may…
The Story in Brief
Indian Railways has finalised a policy to monetise vacant elevated deck spaces at busy Mumbai suburban stations. Andheri, Borivali, Khar Road and Mira Road are among the first stations where operators may set up retail outlets, restaurants, grocery and vegetable stores. Authorities are preparing tender documents for the pilot project, which aims to generate licence-fee revenue from underused infrastructure.
Western Railway has identified potential operators including restaurant chains, flea markets and coaching classes. The proposal includes a lottery system for vendors and preference for women's self-help groups. Safety and structural checks will be mandatory before commercial installations are permitted. The concept is based on integrated retail seen at stations in Tokyo, Singapore and London. Passenger movement and platform access must not be compromised, said commuter groups.
The Indian Opinion
The convenience of grabbing vegetables at the station sounds welcome, but the plan must not overlook Mumbai's already overcrowded platforms. The safety checks, on structural capacity, fire exits, and crowd flow, will be the real test. Commuters should watch for the pilot rollout at Andheri or Borivali and see if the shops actually ease their daily burden or simply add to the chaos. The real question: will the railways prioritise passenger movement over rental revenue?
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
