Railways Plans Retail Outlets on Elevated Decks at Andheri and Suburban Stations
Indian Railways has finalised a policy to monetise vacant spaces on elevated station decks and foot overbridges across Mumbai's suburban rail network, selecting Andheri, Borivali, Khar Road, and Mira Road stations for the initial phase of the project. Railway authorities are currently preparing tender documents to invite commercial operators to establish retail outlets, kiosks, restaurants, cafes, grocery and vegetable stores, and service facilities directly within station premises.
The proposal is aimed at turning underutilised railway infrastructure into convenient retail spaces for daily passengers while generating additional revenue for the Railways through rentals and licence fees. Together, Western Railway and Central Railway have created approximately 147 acres of space through elevated decks across Mumbai stations.
Under the proposed plan, commuters travelling through Andheri and other initial stations will be able to purchase daily-use items such as vegetables, fruits, groceries, and meals, or handle dry-cleaning pick-ups without stepping out onto busy surrounding roads.
Officials from Western Railway said the authority has already begun identifying potential categories of operators. These include established restaurant and cafe chains, flea markets, vegetable and grocery vendors, and coaching classes.
Railway authorities are evaluating multiple models for vendor selection. Options under consideration include allotting spaces through a lottery system, offering preference to women's self-help groups for certain spots, and inviting high-end cafes and restaurants with strong balance sheets and an established social presence.
Before commercial spaces are set up, the project will undergo detailed safety, structural, and operational assessments. Authorities must ensure that shops and kiosks do not obstruct passenger movement or access to platforms, foot overbridges, escalators, and emergency exits, particularly at stations experiencing high passenger footfall such as Andheri.
Engineers will evaluate the structural load capacity of existing elevated decks before permitting additional installations. Safety checks will also examine electrical load capacity, crowd management plans, fire safety measures, and emergency evacuation protocols.
The initiative draws inspiration from international rail hubs in cities including Tokyo, Singapore, and London, where commercial facilities are integrated into station complexes. The Railways plans to roll out the initiative as a pilot project first, with more than 20 suburban stations potentially being considered for similar development if the model proves viable.
Passenger representatives have urged authorities to prioritize commuter safety during implementation. Nandkumar Deshmukh of the Federation of Suburban Rail Passengers Association stated that the primary requirement of rail stations to ensure safe and uninterrupted movement of suburban passengers should not be compromised.
