The Indian Ministry of Transport has announced that about 400 railway stations across the country would be re-developed through the public-private partnership (PPP) mode. The government also said it will develop a new PPP framework to enhance the rail infrastructure growth.

The Government is proposed to undertake a bidding process for a few large and medium stations during the course of the next financial year. 

The government also wants to take advantage of the PPP model to provide connectivity to ports across the 7,517 kilometer coastline giving priority to connect the ports at Nargol and Hazira in Gujarat during this fiscal year.

Additionally, the Government said it would consider the PPP model to build three more freight corridors:

• North-South connecting Delhi to Chennai
• East-West from Kharagpur in West Bengal to Mumbai
• East coast from Kharagpur to Vijayawada

Suresh Prabhu, the Indian Railway Minister, said:

"In a landmark decision, the cabinet has approved re-development of 400 stations through PPP. This is expected to be the largest transit oriented development in the world and, hence, involves complex decision making. On the basis of a bankable structure for private participation, it is proposed to undertake a bidding process for a few large and medium stations during the course of the next financial year. We have for the first time incorporated a statement in the 'Pink Book' of sanctioned works a list of partnership projects being undertaken with state government and other agencies." 

The Government of India has recently announced the use of the PPP models to undertake different projects for the creation of sewage treatment infrastructure.