The railways has decided to develop major railway stations from its own money after it failed to get a good response from private investors for its Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

“The national transporter will develop 68 major railways stations under Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. In the list, three railway stations from Karnataka Yeshwanthpur, Mysuru and Dharwad are also included,” said a railway ministry officials.

Under the EPC mode, the railway ministry will spend the money, contractors have to redevelop the stations and hand over to the ministry.

Instructions have been issued to Zonal Railway offices to start inviting tenders and complete the works with in a year. Redevelopment will ensure better passenger amenities including elevators, passenger rest room, drinking water facilities, modern electronic announcement, airport-like entry and exist systems, food courts and shopping complexes, said the official.

As per the estimate around Rs 4,000 crore is required for this project and the railway will spend from its own resources.

Though the government had earlier identified 100 railways stations for development with PPP model, so far only two stations Surat and Habibganj , in Bhopal, have been handed over to private investors for development.

Another 10 stations are being developed by National Building Construction Corporation, a state run company, said the official.