more-in Kozhikode: Vadakara-based Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS), one of the largest worker-owned construction cooperatives in the country, and INKEL Limited, a public-private-partnership initiative, have evinced interest in a ?75-crore project to upgrade the Kozhikode railway station. Executives of the two concerns, accompanied by officials of the Palakkad division of the Southern Railway’s engineering and commercial departments, visited the station on Friday. “The project will be taken up under the Swiss Challenge Method that seeks to invite proposals online and permit rival bidders to come up with more attractive ones,” said Naresh Lalwani, Divisional Railway Manager, Palakkad. “We hope more infrastructure companies will show interest in the project,” he added. The Kozhikode station is among the 23 stations chosen by the Railway Ministry under the first phase of a scheme to upgrade stations to global standards. Around 4.40 acres at four sites have been identified at the Kozhikode station to be utilised for the project. The contract period is 45 years. The project includes retail development and office-space development. The amenities proposed are arrival and departure segregation, concourse, food and beverages outlets, canopy roofing and superior flooring, escalators, and passenger lounges. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on February 8 had unveiled the redevelopment programme for railway stations across the country. The deadline for submitting contract applications is May 22. “But before applying, companies need to do their homework on supply of water, power connection, utility services, floor area ratio, rental yield, and legal issues,” Mr. Lalwani said. “The companies may even have to hire consultants to get an overall idea about the project,” he added. ULCCS has already conducted an aerial survey of the project site. “We hope to make our application for the project shortly,” said ULCCS Chief Executive Officer P. Nina. Previously, the State government, which had opposed the Swiss Challenge Method, had suggested cost-sharing between the State and the Railways. However INKEL, which has the capacity to source private capital as well as professional expertise, has shown interest. The Kozhikode station is to be developed on ‘as is where is’ basis, in order to provide comfort and convenience to passengers and stakeholders. The redevelopment of railway stations will primarily consist of upgrading the level of passenger amenities through new constructions and renovations, officials said.

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