At the 13^th India Retail Forum, Union Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu said he is exploring collaboration possibilities with retailers at railway stations to leverage the 27m passengers that use them every day.

 

Prabhu says the large footfall potentially makes railway stations ‘attractive retail hubs’. Speaking at the valedictory session of the two-day India Retail Forum 2016, Prabhu said: “Railway has a tremendous potential for retail as the footfall is directly proportionate to brands getting maximum exposure, benefitting the retail economy.”

 

The ministry has already embarked on redeveloping 400 major railway stations in India with a view to making them more attractive than the country’s shopping malls.

 

During the forum, which was attended by over 1300 delegates from India and overseas, he recalled the proposed partnership opportunity with various sectors in the first ever budget as railway minister in the parliament.

 

“The first redevelopment will begin at Habib Ganj, Bhopal and the contract has already been done with and would be followed by other states,” Prabhu said.

 

Details of all 400 stations are mentioned on the railway website and the process of evaluation of applications will be done online.

 

Prabhu also revealed that the Surat railway station will soon be the first ever integrated railway station, facilitating all modes of transport including buses and rickshaws. The contract has already been signed with 34 companies showing interest.