The Indian Railways has finalised a policy to monetise vacant spaces on elevated station decks and areas above foot overbridges at some of Mumbai’s busiest suburban stations. Railway authorities are preparing tender documents to invite operators to establish retail outlets, kiosks, restaurants, cafes, grocery and vegetable stores and other commercial establishments on these spaces.
The proposal is aimed at using otherwise underutilised railway infrastructure while generating additional revenue for the Railways through licence fees or rentals. The commercial spaces are proposed to remain within station premises, allowing passengers to access them without having to step onto busy roads. Andheri, Borivali, Khar Road and Mira Road are among the stations being considered in the initial phase because of their high passenger footfall and sizeable elevated deck areas. According to railway officials, the Western and Central Railways have together created about 147 acres of space across Mumbai through such elevated decks.
For commuters, the proposed facilities could include vegetables, groceries, meals and dry-cleaning collection services. Office-goers who currently stop at markets or shops on their way home could purchase daily-use items within the station premises before boarding a train or after getting off.
The Western Railway has already started identifying potential categories of operators. These include established restaurant and cafe chains, flea markets, vegetable and grocery stores and coaching classes. A railway official said the proposal was still at the planning stage and that designated spaces would allow passengers to purchase vegetables, fruits, groceries and other essentials within station premises. The commercialisation of the decks will be subject to safety and operational checks. Shops and other installations will have to be planned without obstructing passenger movement or access to platforms, foot overbridges, escalators and exits, particularly at stations with heavy footfall.
The structural capacity of existing decks will also have to be assessed before additional commercial installations are permitted. Fire safety, emergency evacuation, electrical load and crowd management are among the other aspects expected to be examined.
Officials said the proposal would make productive use of spaces that are currently vacant or not being fully utilised. While some stations already have small stalls in designated areas, the new proposal envisages a more organised network of kiosks and retail outlets. Different models for selecting vendors are being considered. One option under discussion is allotment through a lottery system. There is also a proposal to give preference to women’s self-help groups for some commercial spaces. High-end cafes and restaurants with a sound balance sheet and social presence are also being considered.
The project is likely to be rolled out first as a pilot. Its scale and timeline will depend on the outcome, with more than 20 suburban stations potentially being considered for similar commercial development if the model proves viable. The Railways is also looking at international examples from Tokyo, Singapore and London, where retail and commercial facilities have been integrated into station complexes. Passenger safety and uninterrupted movement are expected to remain requirements for the proposal.