Malaysia's CIDB Holdings keen to redevelop India's railway stations

The company will bid for the redevelopment of the Udaipur, Howrah, Indore, Secunderabad, Pune and Faridabad railway stations, the Economic Times reported.

The report quoted an official from India's Ministry of Railways, who said the estimated cost of redevelopment of the stations would be Rs 50 billion (about US$775 million) (US$1=RM4.29).

It said CIDB Holdings Chairman Datuk Seri Ir Judin Abdul Karim had informed the Indian rail department that Malaysian companies were ready to participate in efforts to modernise the railway stations.

Earlier in March, Judin had urged Malaysian companies to seize the opportunities presented by India's railway sector during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

India's ambitious project calls for the redevelopment of 400 stations under a private-public sector partnership model.

Most Indian railway stations lack modern amenities and their infrastructure is under strain from passenger volumes.

The redevelopment projects entails the construction of new platforms, installation of lifts and other passenger facilities, as per international quality standards.

Companies will also be allowed to build facilities such as hotels, shopping malls and cinemas within the station complex.