Lucknow’s Gomti Nagar Railway Station has become Uttar Pradesh’s first privately-managed rail hub under the Integrated Station Facility Management System (ISFMS), offering airport-style food courts, modern amenities, and improved cleanliness.

While train movement, ticketing, and security remain under Indian Railways, private firms will manage catering, parking, cleanliness, and passenger assistance. The Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) will oversee operations, granting private operators nine-year licences, extendable by three years. Revenue sharing will see 15 percent of earnings going to RLDA and 85 percent retained by Indian Railways.

The redeveloped station, inaugurated earlier by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, now features solar-powered systems, elevators, escalators, and new commercial spaces. Handling 76 trains daily across six platforms, it connects to Gorakhpur, Chhapra, and Barauni, making it a key hub in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Chandigarh station has also been included in this pilot project. If successful, the model may expand nationwide. Experts say the public-private partnership could boost efficiency and passenger comfort, though concerns remain over higher service charges, transparency, and long-term quality.