A senior Eastern Railway (ER) official emphasized the significance of clearing railway property from squatters in the Howrah and Sealdah divisions, stating that every plot holds importance. Despite decades of unsuccessful attempts due to lack of state government support, the railways aim to utilize the land for revenue generation to enhance services for passengers. Recently, ER initiated an e-auction at Howrah station to award a major Non-Fare Revenue (NFR) contract, focusing on innovative revenue streams and improved public amenities.
The awarded contract involves the establishment, operation, and maintenance of an 80-square-foot retail store at Howrah station for a decade, with an annual license fee of Rs 22.70 lakh and a total value of Rs 3.05 crore. The official highlighted that besides benefiting passengers, the revenue from the retail store will be reinvested to enhance passenger amenities, enhancing the overall travel experience. Vishal Kapoor, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) at Howrah, stressed that this contract would optimize railway assets and elevate passenger services.
Eastern Railway’s eviction of encroachers from valuable land near Kolkata’s suburbs has commenced, aiming to unlock commercial potential adjacent to railway tracks. The revenue generated from these land parcels, if utilized effectively, can significantly contribute to the railways, which heavily subsidize passenger fares. Non-fare revenue becomes crucial for zones like ER, which handle limited freight traffic and heavily subsidize passenger fares. Despite facing criticism from political parties like CPI(M) and Trinamool Congress, ER’s move to clear squatters aligns with its revenue enhancement strategy.
