Fast-track redevelopment of 5 stations: Prabhu.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu recently directed officials to fast-track work on redeveloping five stations in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Mr. Prabhu, who was in the city in connection with International Yoga Day, held a meeting to review the progress of station redevelopment.

The Station Redevelopment Programme project entails improvement of passenger amenities at railway stations and commercial exploitation of land around them. Among the 400 stations identified for the project across the country, five are in Mumbai: Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Thane, Mumbai Central, Bandra Terminus and Borivali.

A.K. Gupta and D.K. Sharma, general managers for Western and Central Railways respectively, Prabhat Sahai, CMD, Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Ltd. (MRVC) senior Railway Board officials and others attended the meeting. State Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar also present.

Mr. Prabhu suggested seeking partnerships with local authorities like MMRDA to expedite the process. He said State and Central infrastructure Public Sector Undertakings could be considered as strategic partners.

THE HINDU