Western Railway is considering plans to generate revenue by commercially utilising elevated decks being constructed above platforms at several suburban stations in Mumbai. These decks are part of a broader station upgradation programme aimed at improving passenger circulation and easing congestion at some of the busiest locations on the suburban rail network.
The structures are being built by Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation under ongoing rail infrastructure projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. While the primary objective of the elevated decks is to expand commuter space and provide additional passenger amenities, railway authorities are now examining the possibility of using parts of the deck area for limited commercial activity to create non-fare revenue.
Officials said the decks have opened up sizeable areas above the platforms that could accommodate facilities such as kiosks, food outlets, small retail units and other passenger services. These spaces may be leased or licensed to private operators, allowing the railways to earn supplementary income without affecting routine train operations.
The concept of elevated decks was introduced to tackle crowding at suburban stations, where millions rely on the railway system for daily travel. Many stations were designed decades ago and were not built to manage current passenger volumes. Creating an additional level above platforms allows authorities to relocate several facilities and distribute passenger movement more efficiently.
Amenities including ticket counters, seating zones, food stalls and restrooms can be shifted to the deck level. This helps reduce congestion on platforms and foot overbridges while enabling smoother movement between entrances, ticketing areas and train platforms.
The model has already been implemented at stations such as Andheri railway station, Borivali railway station and Goregaon railway station, where elevated decks have created additional circulation space. These projects demonstrated how vertical expansion within existing railway premises can help address space constraints in dense urban areas.
Encouraged by the results, the railways have extended the plan to more stations along the suburban network. Construction of similar decks is underway or planned at several other locations as part of ongoing station modernisation efforts.
Railway officials said commuter convenience will remain the priority while planning commercial activities. Retail or service outlets will be positioned in a manner that does not obstruct pedestrian flow or create new bottlenecks.
The proposal is also in line with efforts by Indian Railways to strengthen revenue from non-fare sources. In recent years, the railway network has explored multiple approaches to monetise station infrastructure, including advertising rights, retail leasing and station redevelopment projects.
Officials believe that using elevated deck spaces for controlled commercial use can support the upkeep of station facilities and help finance further infrastructure upgrades, particularly in suburban rail systems that handle extremely high commuter volumes each day.
Source: Prop News Time
