Northern Railway has initiated a major plan to shift coaching maintenance depots from crowded city stations to the outskirts of Delhi-NCR. This move is designed to create space for additional platforms and passenger amenities to handle the increasing rush. By moving these technical yards to mega coaching depots, the railway department aims to double the capacity for starting new trains over the next five years and reduce the long waiting lists for travelers.
How will shifting coaching depots benefit passengers?
The primary goal of shifting these maintenance yards is to free up land within the station premises. This vacant space will be used to build extra platforms, which allows more trains to arrive and depart simultaneously. Passengers can expect better facilities such as expanded food courts and waiting lounges. Railway officials believe that moving maintenance activities away from main terminals is essential because the current infrastructure is not enough to meet the growing demand for new train services.
Key details of the Delhi-NCR redevelopment project
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Budget | 2,711 crore rupees for Delhi rail infrastructure |
| Key Stations | New Delhi, Safdarjung, Bijwasan, Anand Vihar |
| Tech Upgrade | Electronic interlocking at 21 stations costing 292.24 crore |
| Project Goal | Double train operation capacity in 5 years |
Which stations are being transformed under this plan?
- New Delhi Station: More than 100 trains are being shifted to Bijwasan, Tughlakabad, and Shakurbasti while platforms 1 to 16 are being rebuilt.
- Amrit Bharat Scheme: 13 major stations in Delhi-NCR are currently undergoing high-speed redevelopment for better passenger experience.
- Mega Terminals: Delhi is among 20 major cities where large-scale maintenance terminals are being developed outside the main city center.
- Efficiency: Shifting the depots will reduce the turnaround time for trains on platforms, allowing the railway to run more services on the same tracks.