To manage crowd movement at several stations on the Central Railway and Western Railway lines, elevated decks have been constructed. These decks not only help passengers move freely but are now being considered for enhancing non-fare revenue for the railways.
Currently, the Western Railway is exploring new initiatives on decks at stations like Khar, Goregaon, Borivali, Kandivali, and Andheri. These elevated decks were initially built to connect railway platforms with footbridges, subways, and railway overpasses while easing passenger movement.
The decks already feature ticket counters, toilets, food stalls, shops, and seating arrangements, and the railways are now looking at ways to utilise the available space for additional commercial activities.
Plans to Increase Non-Fare Revenue
A meeting was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Tarun Jain, Chief Principal Commercial Manager of Western Railway, to brainstorm ideas for increasing non-fare revenue. Currently, Western Railway earns about INR 117 crore from non-fare sources, with a target to nearly double this to INR 239.25 crore in the next financial year.
As per the national directive, Indian Railways aims to raise non-fare revenue from INR 750 crore to INR 1,500 crore, and utilizing these elevated decks is part of that strategy.
Proposed Commercial Activities
During the meeting, several ideas were discussed for using the decks, including:
Libraries and reading zones
Cafes and restaurants
Mini shopping malls and retail outlets
Mini-theaters or entertainment zones
Cricket turfs
It was also noted that similar commercial initiatives have already been implemented along metro rail corridors, including cricket turfs, cafes, and restaurants. Additional spaces may also be offered for clothing, jewelry, and food stalls.
The plan aims to maximize the use of railway property while providing better facilities to passengers and increasing revenue beyond ticket sales.
Also Read: Maharashtra Govt Mandates Permits for E-Rickshaws and E-Bikes Used for Passenger Transport