Nagpur: Central Railway's Nagpur Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Vinayak Garg announced that the division is fast-tracking the development of the Godhani chord line, a key infrastructure project aimed at reducing congestion at Nagpur railway station. The chord line will also improve operational efficiency for trains heading towards Howrah and eastern India, he added.
Speaking during a visit to TOI's Office, Garg explained that trains coming from the Delhi side and bound for Howrah currently enter Nagpur station, where locomotives must be reversed before proceeding towards Kalumna station. This process consumes nearly an hour due to locomotive reversal and associated operational procedures.
"With the Godhani chord line, trains can move directly from Godhani to Kalamna without entering Nagpur station. Instead of taking around an hour, the movement can be completed in about 15 minutes," Garg said. The existing chord line at Godhani station is currently used mainly for freight trains. Railway authorities are now upgrading it to passenger train standards. According to Garg, the work is progressing at full pace.
As part of the plan, Godhani station is being transformed into a major rail hub under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Four new high-level platforms are being constructed, along with escalators, lifts and foot overbridges (FOBs) on both sides of the station to improve passenger access. The station building is at an advanced stage of construction, while a large circulating area is also being developed.
"Godhani is becoming increasingly important as the city is expanding. We are ensuring that passengers receive facilities comparable to those available at Nagpur station," Garg said.
The DRM added that Godhani could eventually function as a secondary terminal for Nagpur, similar to how Ajni is being developed as an alternative station. In the future, some north-bound and originating trains could be operated directly from Godhani, reducing the need for passengers to travel to the main Nagpur station.
Railway officials are targeting completion of major works related to the chord line and station development by December this year. Garg said he is personally reviewing progress through regular monthly visits to the project site.
Officials believe the Godhani chord line will not only streamline rail operations but also provide long-term capacity enhancement for the rapidly growing Nagpur rail network.
A section of the chord line falls under South-East Central Railway (SECR), which has earlier said that it has completed the works for movement of passenger trains.
