Ministry of railways identifies 12 stations for asset monetisation

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The ministry of railways has identified 12 stations for asset monetisation and completed the feasibility study for three stadia. The ministry, which is facing ever-rising maintenance costs, aims to raise nearly Rs 17,810 crore under the National Asset Monetisation Pipeline (NMP).

RFP in final stages for 5 stations

According to a report by The Times of India, Request for Proposal (RFP) was finalised for 12 stations. A two-day review meeting was recently chaired on this issue by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba. The Railways is also in the process of appointing a transaction adviser for three hill railway projects, whose feasibility studies have already been completed. The appointment of a transaction adviser for three railway stadia is also under way. The bid process for these assets is likely to be concluded within the next financial year and the monetisation of the remaining stadia is likely to be wrapped up by November, according to the news report.,

Of the 12 stations, proposals for three stations have already been sent to the Public Private Partnership Approval Committee (PPAC), The Times of India newspaper reported. Apart from railway stations and stadia, the ministry is also working on a plan to award seven railway colonies for redevelopment by December this year. Three such colonies have already been awarded.

More asset monetisation on the card

After receiving a poor response from the public for the bids to run private mail and express trains, the Ministry of Railways is also reportedly reworking the model concession agreement (MCA). The railway ministry is also planning to identify 265 goods sheds by the end of September this year for monetisation through a ‘suitable structure’. According to the report, a consultant to finalise the transaction structure for monetisation of the track and overhead equipment has already been appointed