The railway administration has achieved a significant milestone as the Gorakhpur Mechanical Workshop will now handle the repair and maintenance of Vande Bharat trains. This move ends the long-standing dependence on Delhi and other depots for the Gorakhpur-Prayagraj Vande Bharat Express. The first rake of the semi high-speed train has already arrived at the workshop to begin the process.
Why is this a relief for Indian Railways?
Previously, the eight-coach Gorakhpur-Prayagraj Vande Bharat Express had to be sent to Sakur Basti in Delhi or Charbagh for repairs and maintenance. This created logistical challenges and operational delays. Now, with the arrival of the first rake at the new LHB (Link Hofmann Busch) shed in Gorakhpur, these issues will be resolved. Chief Workshop Manager Dr. Sunil Kumar Sharma confirmed that the workshop, which already handles LHB, Powercar, and MEMU trains, is now equipped for Vande Bharat rakes.
What were the challenges in Gorakhpur?
The North Eastern Railway faced several problems regarding the cleaning and maintenance of these high-speed trains. While the Railway Board had recommended building a separate depot in Gorakhpur, the project was stalled due to the unavailability of sufficient land. Because of this lack of local resources, the railway administration could not launch proposed Vande Bharat services to Agra, Delhi, Varanasi, and Prayagraj. The start of repairs at the mechanical workshop provides a temporary but effective solution to these hurdles.
Key details of the maintenance shift
| Feature | Previous System | New System |
|---|---|---|
| Repair Location | Delhi (Sakur Basti) / Charbagh | Gorakhpur Mechanical Workshop |
| Rake Type | 8-Coach / Other Zone Rakes | 16-Coach LHB Shed Facility |
| Dependency | High dependence on Delhi | Self-reliant maintenance at Gorakhpur |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where will the Gorakhpur-Prayagraj Vande Bharat be repaired now?
It will now be repaired at the Gorakhpur Mechanical Workshop in the new LHB shed, instead of being sent to Delhi or Charbagh.
Why was a separate depot not built in Gorakhpur?
Although the Railway Board recommended a separate depot, the construction was hindered because enough land was not available.