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Rlys may let out stations, platforms for marriages

If you are not getting banquet halls to solemnize marriages during peak seasons, this news item may be useful. The Indian Railways, which is struggling to improve its financial health, is mulling over offering some of its stations and platforms for marriages or wedding receptions. According to a senior railway official, the ministry is exploring other non-conventional opportunities to generate revenue for the national transporter.

Explaining the proposal, the official said: “The proposal has been mooted by Non Fare Revenue Directorate (NFR), which was created to focus on enhancing revenues by 10 to 20 per cent from non-tariff sources. The plan is to offer stations and platforms to organise marriage ceremonies without creating any obstructions to regular movement of trains.” Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also emphasised to focus on other profit-making revenue models to correct the financial health of the railways.

A new policy to give a push to non-fare revenue model would be launched by Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu in the second week of January. The policy would help streamline the plans. It has been clearly mentioned that convenience of passengers would not be compromised while offering a stations or platform on rent for marriages, wedding receptions or kitty parties.

“The NFR Directorate has outlined a list of stations which are least crowded and renting out those won’t affect trains’ operations. The Western Railways has identified platforms at Surat and Navapur railway stations for hosting weddings,” the official said.
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