The Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) has taken a significant step toward revolutionizing railway travel in India by launching its Integrated Station Facility Management (ISFM) initiative at Chandigarh railway station. This ambitious program aims to establish new standards in station maintenance and passenger comfort across the country's railway network.
What ISFM Brings to Chandigarh Station
The ISFM model represents a comprehensive approach to station management by consolidating housekeeping, operations and maintenance, and commercial activities under a single, professionally managed system. Manoj Garg, Vice-Chairman of RLDA, emphasized that this initiative is designed to deliver world-class passenger services and high-value commercial facilities through a transparent open bidding process.
Chandigarh railway station, strategically positioned near Madhya Marg and serving as a crucial connection point between Chandigarh and Panchkula, has been identified as one of the premium stations selected for this transformation. The station handles important train services including the Shatabdi Express and Vande Bharat, making efficient operational management essential for daily commuters and long-distance travelers alike.
Commercial Opportunities and Passenger Benefits
RLDA has invited bids for selecting an agency to manage ISFM services for a nine-year period, with the reserve annual licence fee set at Rs 2.88 crore. The chosen agency will bear responsibility not only for maintaining the station but also for enhancing commuter amenities, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations, and optimizing commercial potential.
The station already boasts modern infrastructure including CCTV networks, lifts, escalators, solar panels, automated sensor-based entry systems, and an advanced building management system (BMS). Under the ISFM framework, the focus will shift to maintaining these systems at peak efficiency while simultaneously enriching passenger facilities.
Commercial opportunities at Chandigarh station are substantial, featuring food courts, retail spaces, large parking zones, paid lounges, kiosks, cloakrooms, advertising spaces, and office premises. The integrated management approach will ensure these commercial offerings operate seamlessly alongside station operations, generating improved revenue while enhancing the overall passenger experience.
National Transformation Vision
RLDA officials anticipate that the ISFM initiative at Chandigarh will replicate the success achieved at Gomti Nagar station, which has emerged as a model for integrated and professional station management in India. The authority expects several more major stations to come under the ISFM framework in the coming months as redevelopment projects nationwide near completion.
By adopting this holistic approach to station management, RLDA aims to convert railway stations into vibrant, passenger-centric hubs that combine comfort, convenience, efficiency, and innovation. The authority emphasizes that ISFM represents more than just a maintenance framework—it constitutes a transformational shift in how stations are operated, maintained, and monetized.
As a statutory body under the ministry of railways, RLDA continues to lead redevelopment initiatives across India, including station upgrades, commercial leasing, colony redevelopment, and multi-functional complex development. Through the ISFM program, the organization is working to ensure that the next generation of Indian railway stations becomes sustainable, service-oriented, and truly world-class facilities ready to meet future demands.
