India To Seek Malaysian Expertise In Modernising Train Stations

By Shakir Husain NEW DELHI, June 8 (Bernama) – The Indian government will seek Malaysian expertise in modernising 20 railway stations in a project worth more than US$1.5 billion, said a report. India is working on a large-scale redevelopment plan for many of its railway stations in both its mega cities and smaller places. While Malaysia is participating in the bidding process for 23 stations, the Indian government is looking at offering about 20 stations separately to Malaysian companies, the Press Trust of India reported Wednesday, citing a senior Indian Railways official. Malaysia would be offered the stations located in tier-two cities such as state capitals and smaller cities. The estimated investment would be about 100 billion rupees ($1.55 billion) on a government-to-government partnership basis, said the official, who was not named in the report. The long-term partnership scheme in railway station redevelopment with Malaysia will be launched after getting the cabinet approval, the official said. India's ambitious project calls for redeveloping 400 stations under a private-public sector partnership model with an investment of about $15.5 billion. While India has strong engineering capabilities in areas such locomotives, track building and coach manufacturing, the country's railway stations often lack modern passenger amenities. Their outdated infrastructure facilities also do not offer pleasant experience to travellers. -- BERNAMA