The Railway Ministry has extended the closing date by more than a month to June 26 for firms to submit bids for the redevelopment of Kozhikode railway station.
Fifteen firms, including some top property developers in Kozhikode, have evinced interest in the project. Originally, the deadline for the submission of application was May 22.
Railway sources said that Ernst and Young, one of the advisers to Southern Railway, last week recommended the extension of the deadline.
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The Kozhikode station is among the 23 railway stations which will be developed with world-class facilities at a cost of ₹75 crore. Under the Swiss Challenge Method, the four sites selected for the project will be leased to the successful bidder for 45 years.
Vadakara-based Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) and INKEL Limited, a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative, have already expressed their willingness to take part in the bidding.
Incidentally, Malaysia’s state-owned Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) has also shown interest in developing railway stations under the PPP model and the company had also done some road shows. However, it is still unclear whether the company wanted to take up the Kozhikode project.
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“Redevelopment of the station under PPP model would be highly beneficial for passengers in future,” Palakkad Divisional Railway Manager Naresh Lalwani told The Hindu .
He scotched rumours that the Railway Ministry was going to sell off its property in Kozhikode to corporates. The successful developer would develop, finance, operate and maintain the railway station for 15 years, and the bidder would also receive commercial development rights for 45 years on railway-owned land near the railway station, he said.
“Besides, the land to be developed are spread over four sites outside the station area. The parking space will be intact and facilities will be greatly improved. The Railway is making optimum use of the land to enhance the quality of the station,” Mr. Lalwani said.