Udaipur (Udaipur Kiran): Udaipur MP Dr Mannalal Rawat has written to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, urging the cancellation of the e-tender issued for leasing out 19,588 square metres of land at the Udaipur City Railway Station premises on a 99-year basis for commercial and residential purposes. He has demanded that the land be reserved for future expansion of railway services.
Along with the letter, MP Dr Rawat also held a meeting with senior officials of the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, where he raised the demand for starting Vande Bharat train services on the Udaipur–Delhi and Udaipur–Surat routes.
In his letter, Dr Rawat stated that several development works are currently underway at Udaipur City Railway Station. After the recent electrification of the Udaipur–Ahmedabad rail line, direct rail connectivity will be available from Udaipur via Ahmedabad to Maharashtra and other major cities in South India. This will increase both rail services and passenger load at the station. Considering the future growth in passenger numbers and rail services, the requirement for basic and technical facilities at the station will continue to rise, making additional land essential.
The MP pointed out that the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) has recently issued an e-tender to lease around 19,588 square metres of land at the station premises for 99 years. However, he said that the station will need additional land for new rail tracks, yard maintenance facilities, washing areas and other operational requirements. Leasing out such a large area could create serious obstacles for future expansion of railway infrastructure due to the unavailability of land.
Dr Rawat also informed the Railway Minister that local citizens and rail users have expressed opposition to the proposed lease, stating that it does not appear to be in public interest or aligned with long-term railway development. He urged that the e-tender be cancelled and the land be used only for rail track expansion, maintenance yards and other essential railway infrastructure.
Meeting with Railway Officials
During his meeting with senior railway officials, MP Dr Mannalal Rawat reiterated the demand for starting Vande Bharat trains between Udaipur and Delhi, and Udaipur and Surat. He also raised issues related to proposed rail projects, including the Ratlam–Dungarpur via Banswara line, the Dholpur–Sarpurthala route, and the doubling of the Udaipur–Chittorgarh rail line.
The MP further requested that the proposed railway yard at Umarda be shifted two kilometres ahead, stating that opposition is being raised at the current proposed site due to the presence of uranium.
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