How can you open your own shop at a railway station? Learn the entire process—from licensing and registration to fees..

During your travels, you often see tea, book, and food stalls at railway stations. These stalls are not owned by the railways themselves but are operated by private individuals. You, too, can open a shop at a station and earn substantial profits. However, there are specific conditions and procedures involved in setting up a shop at a railway station. These shops are managed by the IRCTC; essentially, tenders are invited for these outlets, and anyone can apply.

**How ​​to get a shop space at a station**
Indian Railways, through the IRCTC, frequently issues tenders for food stalls, general stores, and book stalls. Most shops are allotted via open tenders or e-auctions. You can check for details on the 'E-Procurement System' online portal. Applications are submitted via online e-tenders through the 'Tender' or 'E-Auction' sections of the IRCTC portal or the respective Zonal Railway's website.

**How ​​to obtain the license**
Licenses issued by the IRCTC following the tender process come with a specific validity period. Under the rules, a license for a 'Food Plaza' is valid for nine years, whereas licenses for food/beverage stalls or catering units are valid for five years.

You must apply for the license online. Before doing so, you need to obtain a digital signature. You will need to search for tenders for your preferred station and download the tender documents. You will also be required to deposit a security fee. Subsequently, you must place a bid. Documents required for the application or bid include an Aadhaar card, PAN card, Voter ID, GST registration (if applicable), a food license (for food stalls), and passport-sized photographs. The associated fees can range from ₹40,000 to ₹3 lakh.

The license is issued by the Railways once the tender process is complete and the highest valid bid or eligibility criteria have been determined. It is worth noting that bids for high-traffic stations tend to be higher.

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