Janaushadhi Kendra outlets to come up at 11 more railway stations in Tiruchi Division

The railways will provide space measuring around 120 sq. ft. at a strategic location within the premises to run Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra. | Photo Credit: M. MOORTHY Southern Railway has planned to set up Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK) — a pharmacy outlet to make available quality medicines and consumables at affordable prices — at 11 more railway stations falling under the Tiruchi Railway Division limits. The PMBJK outlets are functioning at Tiruchi and Thanjavur railway junctions.The stations where the PMBJK outlets are proposed to be opened are Villupuram Junction, Vriddhachalam Junction, Lalgudi, Tiruvannamalai, Polur, Ariyalur, Srirangam, Mayiladuthurai, Tirupaddripuliyur, Chidambaram, and Vellore Cantonment. The railway authorities have decided to award the contract through competitive e-auction bidding for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of PMBJK outlets at the identified stations.The e-auction for establishing PMBJKs at Mayiladuthurai, Tirupaddripuliyur, Chidambaram, and Vellore Cantonment stations is scheduled on November 6. The e-auction for Villupuram Junction, Vriddhachalam, Lalgudi, Tiruvannamalai, Polur, Ariyalur, and Srirangam stations are scheduled on November 10, said railway sources.The railways will provide space measuring around 120 sq. ft. at a strategic location in the circulating area of the chosen railway stations to the licensee for establishing, operating, and maintaining the outlet. The outlet will be fabricated by the railways and provided to the licensee. The licence to operate the outlets will be awarded for three years, sources said. The railways has spelt out a list of requirements for the bidders for establishing the outlets and the guidelines for setting up the PMBJKs at railway stations. The licensees will be permitted to sell only medicines and products of PMBI (Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India)/authorised by PMBI using their dedicated software for sales and inventory management.The Ministry of Railways had conceptualised a policy framework in August 2023 to establish PMBJKs in circulating areas and concourses of stations which will be set up and operated by the licensees. The Tiruchi Railway Junction was one among the 50 stations identified across the country for establishing the outlet on a pilot basis.The objectives behind this move was to promote Government of India’s mission to make available quality medicines and consumables (Janaushadi products) at affordable prices to enhance wellness and welfare of passengers and visitors at railway stations and create employment opportunities and generate avenues for entrepreneurs for opening the PMBJKs. Published - October 30, 2026 06:31 pm IST