PRAYAGRAJ: Prayagraj Junction is poised to become a significant commercial hub as part of its redevelopment initiative. The railway authorities are getting ready to lease a substantial portion of the newly constructed station building to private investors for a period of 45 years. This redevelopment project, costing approximately Rs 960 crore, is one of the largest in the country.
The Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) has released an e-tender for the commercial development of the seven floors in the newly built nine-storey structure on the Civil Lines side of the station. Commercial activities will be permitted from the third to the ninth floor, covering about 2,03,665.28 square feet. Investors can develop spaces for malls, hotels, multiplexes, corporate offices, and food plazas within the complex.
Officials reported that the redevelopment work has been ongoing for nearly three years. The commercial spaces will operate under a revenue-sharing model, ensuring that the Railways receives a minimum of 25% of the earnings. The RLDA has set a reserve price of around Rs 130 crore for the initiative.
To maintain transparency during the bidding process, the RLDA has outlined a detailed schedule for interested investors. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for March 17 at 11:30 AM at the RLDA headquarters, accessible both offline and online. Investors can submit their e-bids until April 23, and the highest bidder will gain rights for commercial operations on the seven floors for a period of 45 years.
The new building’s structural framework has already been finished. The ground floor and certain other areas will accommodate railway offices, ticket counters, and passenger waiting lounges. A notable feature of the design is a spacious concourse on the first floor, where passengers can wait for their trains before utilizing escalators that grant direct access to the platforms.
PRO of the Prayagraj Division, Amit Singh, stated that the redevelopment will not only enhance passenger amenities to an airport-like standard but also ensure a stable revenue stream for the railways. Officials aim to complete the entire redevelopment project by the end of 2026.
