With plans to renovate several of the city’s ageing stations into bustling hubs with office and commercial space, the rail network in Abu Dhabi is undergoing a significant overhaul. The Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) is in charge of the rehabilitation project, which intends to increase revenue and enhance passenger services by making the most of underutilised land and airspace at a few stations.
Nine of the 18 stations that will be upgraded are designated for commercial development. Elevated decks at stations like Mulund, Khar Road, Bhayandar, and GTB Nagar will be converted into shops and offices, and unused land near Mankhurd, Bhandup, Dombivli, Kasara, and Neral will be used for the same purposes. Notably, the Western Railway’s Khar Road station is almost finished with renovation.
The Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP), a major endeavour to alleviate the mounting strain on the city’s suburban rail system, includes this station renovation project. Due to the dramatic increase in commuter traffic, several of Mumbai’s stations—some over 80 years old—are experiencing overcrowding. These improvements are intended to improve safety and the commuter experience in general, as well as the infrastructure, as the number of passengers keeps increasing.
In late 2022, Knight Frank India carried up a feasibility study that examined the project’s financial viability at nine stations. With anticipated payback times of five and seven years, respectively, Khar Road and Bhayandar stations were identified as ideal sites for retail and food and beverage establishments. Lower financial returns were indicated by other stations that were classified as Category II and had lengthier payback periods of 17 to 19 years.
Source: News Nine