Patna: Passengers travelling through Shahpur Patori station in Bihar will soon be able to dine inside a luxury restaurant built from a retired railway coach, as the Sonpur Division of East Central Railway moves ahead with a project aimed at improving passenger amenities and boosting non-fare revenue.
The railway administration has successfully allotted the proposed Rail Coach Restaurant through an e-auction process. The facility will be developed outside Shahpur Patori railway station and operated for a period of five years.
The move is part of a wider commercial development initiative under which several railway assets at Shahpur Patori and Dalsinghsarai stations have been allotted to private operators.
Fifth Rail Coach Restaurant in Sonpur Division
Railway officials said the upcoming facility at Shahpur Patori will become the fifth Rail Coach Restaurant in Sonpur Division, giving the division the distinction of having the highest number of such restaurants in East Central Railway.
Under the concept, old and unused railway coaches are refurbished and converted into modern dining spaces equipped with contemporary interiors and passenger-friendly facilities.
The themed restaurants are designed to offer visitors a unique railway-inspired dining experience while making productive use of retired railway assets.
Additional Revenue of Rs 8.44 Lakh Expected
According to railway authorities, the allotment of commercial assets at Shahpur Patori and Dalsinghsarai is expected to generate an additional annual revenue of Rs 8,44,566.
Apart from the Rail Coach Restaurant, Non-Fare Revenue (NFR) stalls have also been allotted at both stations. An NFR stall at Shahpur Patori has been allotted for three years, while similar stalls at Dalsinghsarai station have also been leased for the same period.
The initiative is expected to strengthen the division’s non-fare revenue stream and reduce dependence on passenger earnings.
Commercial Expansion at Smaller Stations
What makes the development noteworthy is that both Shahpur Patori and Dalsinghsarai fall under the NSG-5 category of railway stations, which generally witness comparatively lower passenger traffic.
Despite their smaller size, the railway administration is expanding commercial activities at these stations to unlock new revenue opportunities and improve services.
Officials believe such projects can help transform station premises into more vibrant public spaces while attracting private investment.
New Attraction for Passengers and Locals
Railway officials said the coach restaurant is expected to become a major attraction not only for passengers but also for local residents.
Visitors will be able to enjoy a variety of food and beverages in a distinctive setting created from a refurbished railway coach.
The project is also expected to support local employment and stimulate commercial activity in and around the station area.
Giving Retired Coaches a New Identity
Instead of being discarded, damaged or obsolete railway coaches are being repurposed into functional hospitality spaces under the Rail Coach Restaurant model.
Railway authorities said similar initiatives will continue in the future as part of efforts to optimise railway assets, improve passenger experience and increase non-fare revenue across the network.
