Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 20: The Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) today invited bids for the commercial development of two land parcels near Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station under the Firozpur Division of Northern Railway in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
A spokesperson stated that the RLDA, a statutory authority under the Indian Railways, has identified two land parcels (A and B) for commercial leasing. “Parcel A has an approximate area of 7,521.45 square meters with a reserve price of Rs. 17.35 crore, while Parcel B spans 7,831.23 square meters and has a reserve price of Rs. 18.49 crore. Both parcels will be leased for 60 years, with a permissible Floor Space Index (FSI) of 2.50 and an offered FSI of 2.10 for each,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson further explained that both land parcels are bound by Station Road to the north. “Parcel A is bordered by Station Road and railway buildings to the east, while Parcel B is adjacent to Parcel A. To the south, both parcels are bound by the railway yard. To the west, Parcel A is bordered by Parcel B, and Parcel B is bordered by vacant railway land followed by a drain,” he added.
The strategically located sites are ideal for commercial developments such as hotels, shopping complexes and marriage halls. “These projects can significantly boost the local economy, create employment opportunities and cater to the large influx of tourists visiting the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. With over 95 lakh pilgrims visiting the shrine in 2023 and the number expected to rise, the demand for such commercial facilities is projected to grow further,” he said.
The RLDA’s development plan includes four key mandates: leasing commercial sites, colony redevelopment, station redevelopment and multi-functional complexes. “All interested bidders are advised to regularly visit the provided links for timely updates,” the spokesperson concluded.