A massive revamp of Mumbai’s iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is on the cards. A new project is set to bring modern airport-like facilities to one of the most iconic stations in the world.
The Indian Railways Station Redevelopment Corporation (IRSDC) has drawn up plans redevelop, beautify and reorganize the CSMT station area while at the same time retaining the heritage status of the main building.
Railopolis, the moniker being used for the redeveloped station areas by IRSDC, will creation of passenger and commercial spaces in the station area. This will be accomplished by the removal of unnecessary structures, offices and buildings. This decluttering of the area will significantly improve access to the station by passengers.
At the same time, the project also hopes to improve revenues for the Indian Railways through better commercial use of the area.
Key features of IRSDC’s CSMT Railopolis Station Redevelopment Project
- A multimodal hub for suburban traffic, separating it from the long-distance train traffic.
- A multimodal hub for long-distance trains in the maintenance and stabling yard at CSMT
- Total 10 platforms of 26 coach length for long-distance traffic and 5 platforms for suburban
- Harbour line terminus on the eastern side of CSMT station.
- Total 1.4 square meters of space to be created at CSMT and 2.5 lakh square metres including Wadi Bunder and Byculla
- CSMT Station area to be de-cluttered. DRM office and other offices to be shifted to new buildings in Wadi Bunder and Byculla
- Project estimated to cost 1,642 crores
- Redevelopment time: 4 years
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IRSDC is currently executing several major redevelopment projects at Habibganj in Bhopal, Gandhinagar near Ahmedabad, two major terminals in Delhi, and is also in the process of initiating several other redevelopment projects for stations like Surat, Nagpur, Amritsar, Gwalior, etc.
CSMT Redevelopment Project Commercials
RFQ submissions from interested bidders will be opened on 22nd October 2020.
The selected bidder at the RFP stage shall take up the redevelopment of the Railway station and commercial development of the surrounding railway land on a leasehold basis upto 60 years for commercial development.
The bidder will also manage operation and maintenance of the station for 60 years on a concession basis. User charges will also be another continuous source of revenue to the concessioner which will be available just after the Commercial Operation Date (COD) of the station.
Key Features for Potential Bidders for the CSMT Redevelopment Project
- In-principle approval of PPPAC comprising representatives from Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Law, Niti Aayog, Ministry of Railways etc, as per the Guidelines for PPP projects by Govt. of India;
- The eligibility criteria is in terms of financial capacity at the RFQ stage and the net worth / ACI should be Rs 821 cr at the close of preceding financial year;
- The construction and O&M experience capacity shall have to be met after the award of the project but before the appointed date;
- Extended O&M period of railway stations: For providing better passenger services and amenities, railway stations shall be on the license with Concessionaire for 60 years;
- Additional revenue stream: Pre-determined user charges (as notified by MoR) from railway station users as in practice in airports etc;
- Long Term lease-rights for real estate: Upto 99 years for residential or mix-use format & 60 years for non-residential formats. Upto 2.54 lakh sqm of Built-up Area (tentative) is allowed for commercial development. Exact built-up area allowed shall be known at the RFP stage;
- No Change in Land use is required;
- No prior environmental clearance is required from the Ministry of Environment and Forest;
- IRSDC will be a single-window for approval of the master plan and building plans in consultation with local authorities in terms of power conferred under Section 11 of Railway Act, 1989;
- Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) or Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) are also eligible to participate; and
- All Applicants who meet the qualification criteria shall be eligible to submit price bid at the RFP stage, i.e., there is no upper cap for shortlisting of Applicants for RFP stage.