Under this system, the day-to-day operations of the station, except for train movement, ticketing, and passenger security, will be handled by private companies.
Services such as cleanliness, catering, parking, and passenger assistance will come under private management. The Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) has been tasked with supervising the process and inviting firms to take part.
Private operators will be granted a licence for nine years, with the possibility of extending it for three more years. As part of the agreement, 15 per cent of the earnings will go to RLDA, while 85 per cent will remain with Indian Railways.
The move is expected to change how passengers experience railway stations. With private companies managing facilities, Gomti Nagar will introduce airport-style features
Passengers can expect cleaner surroundings, organised food courts, digital information displays, modern waiting areas, and improved crowd management.
Gomti Nagar Railway Station plays a key role in eastern Uttar Pradesh’s railway network. It handles around 76 trains daily and has six platforms that provide direct connections to Gorakhpur, Chhapra, and Barauni.
The station has already been redeveloped with features like solar-powered systems, escalators, elevators, and new commercial spaces. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the upgraded version earlier.
Chandigarh Railway Station has also been chosen along with Gomti Nagar for this pilot project. If the model proves effective, similar systems could be adopted at other stations across the country.
Experts believe that this public-private partnership will improve efficiency and passenger comfort. However, there are concerns that private involvement may increase service charges and raise questions about long-term transparency and quality.
Despite these debates, Gomti Nagar is now being seen as an example of how Indian Railways could bring in private players to enhance station facilities while continuing to manage core railway operations.
