Udaipur Railway Station To Be Redeveloped As A World-Class Integrated Hub

With the aim to redevelop Udaipur railway station as a world-class integrated hub at par with an international airport, the Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Ltd. (IRSDC) has floated Requests for Qualification (RFQ) for the ambitious project.

Udaipur Railway Station lies in the heart of the city, and serves the local population as well as tourists. It falls under the Ajmer division of the North Western Railway Zone and caters to approximately 16,465 passengers per day.

"The objective is to redevelop the Udaipur Railway Station into a modern station equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. The redeveloped station has been envisioned to be transformed into an integrated railway station at par with an international airport," said a senior IRSDC official.

The station will be redeveloped on a Design-Build Finance Operate Transfer (DBFOT) model using principles of Transit Oriented Development (TOD).

The concession period shall be 60 years and the concessionaire shall have the obligation to redevelop and maintain the station for 60 years along with the right to collect revenue from station users and commercial development.

The total area for mandatory development is 49, 8115 sq.m and the built-up area for station estate development is up to 1,0,1374 sqm. The pre-bid meeting will be held on August 6, 2021, and the deadline for bid submission is August 31, 2021.

"Udaipur City is a tourist destination of global repute. The redevelopment of the railway station aims to transform it into an iconic hub on the lines of an international airport and reimagine the travel experience, said IRSDC MD & CEO SK Lohia.

The redevelopment envisages a new east-side entry station building, with plans for new East-West Road connectivity through Railway Under-Bridges, connectivity with ISBT through commercial land via a network of pedestrian walkways, segregation of entry/exits in the station and easy signage for all types of passengers.

Lohia further said, "It will position the station as a fitting gateway to the city of Udaipur and have a multiplier effect on the local economy in terms of the generation of employment opportunities and subsequent commercial development. As a nodal organisation entrusted with station redevelopment, IRSDC is fully committed to deliver the project as per the schedule and contribute to India's growth story."

The Architectural style of Udaipur and the heritage of Rajasthan reflects in the proposed Railway Station buildings with an airport-like concourse for departing passengers and world-class facilities.

The redeveloped station is expected to provide better passenger amenities, convenience and experience. As per the plan, the station building has segregated movement for arriving and departing passengers at different levels.

There would be provision for superior road connectivity between city and railway station, including the bus station, multi-modal access, drop-off and parking facility.

The plan also envisages a sheltered drop-off zone and meet and greet zone.

Another important feature is that the station would be 100 per cent Divyang accessible with lifts/ramps at all locations.

Udaipur Railway Station lies in the heart of the city, and serves the local population as well as tourists. It falls under the Ajmer division of the North Western Railway Zone of Indian Railways and caters to approximately 16,465 passengers per day.

It is surrounded by commercial areas on the south-east and north-west, institutional areas on the northeast, and residential areas on the south-west side.

The main station building is at Station Road while the other side is called Tekri Road. It has a total of five platforms connected by two footbridges (FOB).

The redevelopment plan primarily aims to defragment the land parcels around the station to harness their commercial potential. A design scheme has been devised to connect people with the main flow of commercial spaces.

The Udaipur Railway Station is among 125 railway stations to be redeveloped under the priority agenda of the Government of India. Out of this, IRSDC is working on 63 stations, and Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) is working on 60 stations.

As per current estimates, the total investment needed for the redevelopment of 125 stations along with real estate development is more than Rs 50,000 crore.