Railways in the State have adopted the Swiss Challenge mode to “create value and revenue” for unused railway space in four key railway stations.
Swiss Challenge, a way to award a project to a private player on an unsolicited proposal, is already being used by Railways for the development of 400-odd railway stations in the country.
Railways are wooing private players — reputed individuals, firms, societies, non-governmental organisations, and companies — for setting up temporary kiosk/stalls on the premises of Thiruvananthapuram Central, second entry on Power House Road of the Central station, Chengannur, Kottayam, Ernakulam Junction, and Ernakulam Town for exhibition-cum-sales for 10 to 30 days.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager V.C. Sudhiesh Kumar told The Hindu that private players winning the bids floated by Railways would be allowed to set up “pleasing and aesthetic kiosks” or stalls for 30 days from August 16 to sell handicrafts, flowers, clothes, electronic items, crockery, and decorative items at market rates.
No items available at the station platform stalls/shops, such as food, would be permitted in these makeshift kiosks. Electrical requirements would have to be met by the licensee and the use of loudspeaker would be banned.
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Already, Mr. Sudhiesh Kumar said, many were coming forward to set up 20 kiosks on the six railway station premises.
Three stalls were being planned in Thiruvananthapuram Central and the second entry, two each in Chengannur and Kottayam, and five each in Ernakulam Junciton and Ernakulam Town.
The places were identified taking into consideration easy accessibility of railway commuters and the public. Care had been taken to ensure that commuters, especially those who rush in at the last minute to the railway stations, were not disturbed in any way by the kiosks.
Depending on the success of the initiative, Railways would further explore the use of unutilised spaces for longer periods. Railways were looking forward to put to use the Swiss Challenge mode during festive seasons such as Vishu, Christmas and the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season in Sabarimala.
