New Delhi Railway Station Redevelopment Tender Reissued, Announces RLDA.

After more than a decade of delays, the Ministry of Railways is making another attempt to initiate the redevelopment of the New Delhi Railway Station, as announced by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA). The new tender for the project, now set at ₹2,469 crore, follows a decision by the ministry to scale back the initial tender and refine the project’s scope.

“This comprehensive development plan envisions the station as an integrated transportation hub that seamlessly connects rail, Metro, bus, and other modes of transport, ensuring convenient and hassle-free connectivity for passengers,” stated the RLDA.

According to the request for proposal document, a pre-bid conference is scheduled for Tuesday in New Delhi, followed by a site visit. An official familiar with the developments noted that the latest tender has addressed all cost-related concerns within the industry, emphasizing that the document has been refined through multiple consultations over the past year. The ministry initially planned to issue the tender in July.

Key components of the redevelopment project include the construction of two linear station buildings on the Paharganj and Ajmeri Gate sides, an air concourse with arrival and departure plazas, a waiting area, vertical circulation elements like lifts and escalators, and retail spaces to enhance passenger convenience.

Originally conceptualized as a public-private partnership, the project shifted to an engineering, procurement, and construction model after the Union Cabinet granted fresh approval in September 2022. The previous tender was scrapped after bids from Larsen & Toubro and Shapoorji Pallonji came in at nearly ₹9,000 crore, significantly exceeding the Cabinet's estimated cost of ₹4,700 crore.

The revamped New Delhi Railway Station will also feature an elevated and ground-level road network to provide seamless connectivity and help decongest surrounding roads. Additional upgrades include platform works, parcel areas, and two parcel tunnels to facilitate smooth parcel handling, along with enhanced parking and circulation facilities. The station is set to showcase a modern and sophisticated design integrated with state-of-the-art technology.

Over the last decade, the redevelopment project has been launched multiple times but has yet to achieve any significant breakthroughs.

BS