Privatisation of works at MGR Central station hits dead-end

Redevelopment of two stations, MGR Chennai Central and Calicut station, which was among the stations shortlisted by the ministry, does not feature among the planned projects of IRDSC even. This, despite big players like Reliance, TVS and Larson and Toubro showing interest when railway handled the project earlier. In September last, the infra cum automobile majors had participated in a pre-tender meeting held at Southern Railway (SR) headquarters. However, the stringent conditions put forth by the firms stalled the project.

Senior SR officers who confirmed the participation of the leading firms in the pre-tendering meeting and the conditions put forth by them revealed to DT Next that the private firms had insisted on railways awarding platform ticket sale and station cleaning to them. Currently, station cleaning has been contracted to private players, while railways directly handles platform ticket sale. “Awarding platform ticket sale to private firms is a policy decision the ministry must make. Existing station cleaning work tenders should be cancelled if they are to meet the requirements of the private players. Also, the work has been taken over by IRSDC now. Now, we don’t handle it even,” a SR officer requesting anonymity said. Unlike other stations, land availability is another issue for a station like MGR Central.

Opining that development of parking space was another major deterrent to private players showing disinterest in Central station now, the officer in the know added that the interest of firms could be revived once Chennai Metro Rail Limited completes the under-construction multi-level car parking and Central Square projects. Calicut station in Kerala has also been drawing considerable interest among private players.