Subject: Clarification Regarding Appointment of Technical Consultant for

Techno-Economic Feasibility Studies for Saharanpur Railway Station

RedevelopmentClarification in c/w appointment of technical consultant for
techno economic feasibility studies for redevelopment of Saharanpur Railway
station.

The Railway Board instructed Northern Railway to engage a technical

consultant for conducting techno-economic feasibility studies for the
redevelopment of Saharanpur Railway station vide letter letter
dated________, and subsequently, the detailed estimate was sanctioned on
18/10/2023, with a budget of Rs. 27.33 lakh.

Unfortunately, when the tender for the work was floated in October 2022 at
the approved cost, no offers were received. To resolve this issue, discussions
were held with consultants from the approved list of RLDA (Rail Land
Development Authority). Consequently, it was decided to revise the estimate
to Rs. 38.1 lakh.

In an attempt to attract suitable bids, the tender was reissued in December

2022. However, only one offer was received, which had to be rejected. The
bidder was already engaged in consultancy work for four stations in the
Northern Railway, a violation of clause no. 2.1.3 of the standard Request for
Proposal (RFP) issued by the Railway Board.

In response, the clause in the RFP was revised with the approval of PCE/NR
(Principal Chief Engineer/Northern Railway), and the tender was floated once
more in January 2023. However, despite the revision, only one offer was
received again.The work for appointment of technical consultant for techno
economic feasibility studies for redevelopment of Saharanpur Railway station
was approved from the Railway board on 11.10.2022 and detailed estimate
was sanctioned on 18.10.2023 at a cost of Rs. 27.33 lakh. The tender for the
work was floated in Oct 2022 at sanctioned cost and no offer was received.
Deliberations were done after this with consultants from the approved list of
RLDA and it was decided to revise the estimate. Estimate was revised from
Rs. 27.33 lakh to 38.1 lakh and tender was floated again in Dec 2022 and
only one offer was received. The tender had to be discharged as the only
bidder who participated was already carrying out the consultancy work in 4
stations in Northern Railway which was the violation of clause no 2.1.3 of
standard RFP issued by Railway board. The clause of RFP was revised with
the approval of PCE/NR and tender was floated again in Jan 2023 and only
one offer was received.
A letter No. 2022/GS/STN.DEV.-I/08/70 DT. 23.12.2022 was received issue
from railway board and according toas per this letter, “the policy for station
development envisages complete redevelopment of Railway stations,
creation of city centres along with provision of Roof Plazas. While creation of
city centres and Roof Plazas is the ultimate target for development of
stations, it is essential that development at stations gradually moves in this
direction with minimal duplication of expenditure. In view of the above, a
new policy for modernization of stations named "Amrit Bharat Station
Scheme" has been conceptualized. Amrit Bharat Station scheme envisages
development of stations on a continuous basis with a long term vision. It is
based on Master Planning for long term and implementation of the elements
of Master Plan as per the needs and patronage of the station.”

Further, same letter referred in above para stated that “DRMs can phase the
hiring of suitable experts at different times as per needs of the station and
engaging all experts in one go is not mandatory. It was also mentioned in
above discussed letter dt. 23.12.2022 in Para 3.4 that “ABSS scheme may
also cover the stations where detailed techno-economic feasibility studies
have been Conducted or are being conducted but the work for construction
of Roof Plazas has not been taken up yet, ensuring the phasing of Master
Plan being suitably implemented and relocation of structures and utilities
being given more emphasis in the phasing plans”. 

Saharanpur holds a pivotal position within the Ambala division, and

considering the significance of its redevelopment, it was expected that
commencing the major work would involve a meticulous procedural
approach. One advantage lies in the strategic location of the main building
and other infrastructure, enabling a soft upgradation process with minimal
duplication of expenses in line with the existing policy. The primary building
targeted for enhancement under the Amrit Bharat Scheme (ABSS) is
situated towards the Ambala end of the station, facilitating the retention of
platforms and the improved main building during the comprehensive
redevelopment. In this plan, a new building and roof plaza will be
constructed at the center of the station, optimizing space and functionality.

Despite already having the work for appointing a technical consultant for the
Techno-Economic Feasibility Studies for the redevelopment of Saharanpur
Railway station sanctioned, the decision to undertake soft upgradation under
ABSS was due to its alignment with the extant policy. This approach allows
for phased development, comprising Phase 1 and Phase 2. Phase 1 will
concentrate on soft upgradation aspects, encompassing traffic circulation,
main building façade, platform improvements, main building room
enhancements, as well as lift installations and signage implementations.
Phase 2, on the other hand, will involve a complete revamp of the station,
incorporating the construction of a roof plaza, a new building, and essential
amenities such as parking facilities, a commercial hub, drainage
improvements, and waste disposal infrastructure, among other crucial
elements.This well-structured approach to the redevelopment project aims
to efficiently utilize resources, minimize disruptions to station operations,
and create a modern and functional railway station that aligns with the
evolving needs of passengers and the community. Through thoughtful
planning and execution, the redevelopment of Saharanpur Railway station
will further enhance the overall railway experience for commuters and
visitors alike.

Saharanpur is one of the most important stations of Ambala division and it

was expected that it would take time to actually start the major
redevelopment work following all the procedure. Further, location of main
building and other infrastructure is located in such a way that working on
soft upgradation will have minimal duplication of expenditure as per policy
as the main building of Saharanpur station (which is being taken up under
amrit bharat scheme) is located towards the Ambala end of the station.
Platforms & main building (improved in soft upgradation) can be retained
during major redevelopment work and new building along with the roof plaza
can come at the center of the station. This was the reason that Saharanpur
was chosen to be taken up for soft upgradation under ABSS as per extent
policy in spite of the fact that the work for appointment of a technical
consultant for Techno-Economic feasibility studies for the redevelopment of
Saharanpur Railway station was already sanctioned. The redevelopment of
Saharanpur station is now planned in two phases i.e. Phase 1 & Phase 2.
Phase 1 includes the soft upgradation under ABSS where work on circulation
of traffic, main building façade, platforms, main building rooms, lifting &
signage will be done and Phase 2 includes the complete revamp like
construction of roof plaza, new building, parking, commercial hub, drainage
improvement & waste disposal etc.

There were 15 stations in Ambala division those were selected for soft
upgradation under Amrit Bharat station scheme including Saharanpur
station. Subsequently the work for consultancy for soft upgradation of these
15 stations including Saharanpur was sanctioned on IRPSM in F.Y. 2022-23
and the work was awarded for Saharanpur station on dt. 17.03.2023 after
acceptance of the same by CAcompetent Authority. The consultant has
already worked on the Master plan and other works to be carried out in the
phase-I (Soft upgradation). The consultancy of Phase-I is in very advanced
stage. It seems that there are activities which have already been done in the
phase-1 consultancy, are also included in the scope of work of techno
economic survey as per model RFP issued by Railway board. Regarding the
scope for Phase-I (soft upgradation), a letter No.
2022/GS/STN.DEV.-I/08/70 dt. 31.12.2022 was received issued from
railway board which contains the scope of work & detailed guidelines (terms
of reference) for consultancy work.

This is a typical case where consultancy work for Phase 1 (soft upgradation)
and Phase 2 (major redevelopment) have been sanctioned at the same time
and work for consultancy for phase 1 is in advance stages. There are no
guidelines issued by the Railway boardis no clarity to deal with the scope of
work & its cost for rendering consultancy services for major redevelopment
when work for consultancy for phase 1 is being done separately. There is no
distinction given in the model RFP for Phase 1 and further phases of work.
The tender had to be discharged on the same very grounds because of no
suitable guidelines available in this regard.

The other issues being faced for Saharanpur station is availability of

interested consultants from the RLDA approved list as the value of work is
very less and most of the consultants from the approved list are already
occupied in consultancy services of various stations. All the eligible
consultants were invited in all the 3 occasions in the limited tender floated
for Saharanpur station but only one consultant participated in spite of
repeated requests to all of them. Railway board in its letter No.
2022/GS/Stn. Dev.-1/08/70 dated 29.12.2022 authorized divisions to
choose consultants from other than RLDA approved list of consultants. The
relevant para states that “For cases where estimated cost of consultancy is
upto Rs 25 lakhs, the Divisions shall prepare a long list of potential
consultants on the basis of formal or informal enquiries from other Ministries
or Departments or Organisations involved in similar activities, Chamber of
commerce & Industry, Association of consultancy firms etc. The above list
should be shortlisted further as per the requirements of th~ Division for
further consideration. The number of short listed consultants should not be
less than three”. There is a need to revise the criteria for the limited tender
as per model RFP and further increase the limit mentioned in the letter dated
29.12.2022 or allow open tenders on QCBS basis.

In view of above it is requested to (i) issue necessary guidelines instructions

for undertaking consultancy work for major redevelopment work for stations
where consultancy for soft upgradationPhase-I isworks under ABSS is
already in place. (ii) Increase the limit for cost of consultancy from existing
Rs. 25 lakhs to Rs. 50 lakhs or allow open tendering on QCBS basis for
consultancy works of major redevelopment of stations.