New Delhi, Sep 14 - The Railways have identified 64 stations around the country to be developed as 'multi-function' stations, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said Monday.

'The expert committee on railway land usage, chaired by Dr. Amit Mitra, has given its report, and in the first phase, has identified 64 railways stations to be developed as multi-function stations,' the minister told reporters here.

These stations will have internet facilities, medicine shops, food outlets, budget hotels, health care facilities, shopping space and many more facilities.

Banerjee said these 64 stations will be developed in three stages - 12 in the first phase, 20 in the second and the remaining in the third phase.

The railways have already signed an agreement with IRCON for this purpose.

'We have set a 180-day timeline for the first stage of 12 stations. Land has been acquired for these 12 stations and construction work will start by end of October or early November,' Mitra said.

He said a strict timeline had been formulated for completion of all the projects and they hope everything will be completed on time.