Indian Railways (IR) owns and manages one of the largest Railway networks of the world with over 64,000 Route Kilometers (Km) and 7,000 stations. Operations of the Indian Railways (IR) are overseen by Ministry of Railways (MOR), Government of India and 16 Zonal Railways headed by General Managers. Most of the Railway stations have been built over 100 years ago, and have a limited and aging infrastructure that handles an ever increasing number of passengers. The Railway stations are also located in the middle of the cities and offer enormous potential for re-development and commercial expansion.
Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC), is a Special Purpose vehicle and a Joint Venture company of IRCON International Limited (IRCON) (A Govt. of India Undertaking, under Ministry of Railways) and Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) (a statutory authority under the Ministry of Railways). IRSDC has been mandated to develop/ re-develop the existing/new railway station(s) in India which will consist of upgrading the level of passenger amenities by new constructions/renovations including re-development of the station buildings, platform surfaces, circulating area, etc., to better standards so as to serve the need of passengers. The main objective of the company is to make Indian railway stations of international standards and quality.
IRSDC has decided to organize competition for award of consultancy services towards Preparation of Station Development Plans for three (3) identified railway stations at Nagpur, Gwalior and Beiyappanhalli (Bengaluru) (hereinafter referred to individually as the "Project" and collectively as "Projects") across India. IRSDC therefore invites Multi Disciplinary teams of experts/ consultants to participate in International Design Competition for selection of schemes for Station Development Plans of these stations.
Stage 1 of the Competition is open for Consultants as well as Students (of planning, architecture and other allied disciplines studying in India or abroad).
Stage-2 of Competition is limited to Consultants shortlisted after Stage-1 as per the terms of the IDC.
Nagpur Junction railway station is one of the oldest and busiest stations in Nagpur. It was inaugurated in its present form on January 15th, 1925 by the then Governor Sir Frank Sly. The railways at Nagpur were established before the independence of India. The initial lines were laid down in Nagpur in the year of 1867. In 1881 Nagpur was linked up with another Indian City, Kolkata, via the railways of the state of Chhattisgarh. The original railway station of Nagpur was previously located east of the current site. The present-day railway station in Nagpur was established in 1924.
Gwalior railway station is operated by North Central Railway Station and is part of the Jhansi Division. It is an important commercial railway station of the North Central Railway of Indian Railways. Numerous Express train and about 150 other trains stop at Gwalior. Out of these about 10 trains originate from Gwalior. Gwalior is, one of the few places where both narrow gauge and broad-gauge railway tracks are still operational. The narrow-gauge track at Gwalior is the narrowest in India.
Baiyappanhalli Station of Bengaluru has a small station building with a few platforms. Unlike other stations of this International Design Competition, Baiyappanhalli Station can be considered as a Green field development. Beiyappanhalli metro station and metro depot is located in railway land near the railway station. The metro station is connected with the Railway Station via a foot over bridge.