THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nemom is likely to be included in 'Gati Shakti' scheme which leases out railway land to private entrepreneurs on low rates. The setting up of coaching terminal will be handed over if anyone comes froward. Railways had earlier withdrawn from the project. This too will be on the model of the airports being handed over to private entrepreneurs.

Railway service charges will also be paid to private entrepreneurs for running the coaching terminal. Also they can generate more income by constructing other buildings including shopping complex. Renovation of Kochuveli, Ernakulam, Kollam, Kozhikode and Palakkad railway stations is also planned to be implemented through the Gati Shakti project.

The scheme was announced in the last Union Budget. Then the Union Cabinet meeting changed the railway land policy including reducing the lease amount. According to this, railway land can be leased to private entrepreneurs for 35 years. Earlier it was five years. The lease amount was reduced from six per cent of the land price set by the government to one and a half per cent.