In a significant move to tackle overcrowding and meet soaring travel demand, Indian Railways has announced an ambitious plan to double the train-originating capacity of major urban centres across the country. The national transporter aims to achieve this substantial infrastructure upgrade within the next five to seven years, with a clear roadmap set for completion by 2030.
Holistic Plan for 48 Smart Cities
The comprehensive strategy, detailed in a press release from the Ministry of Railways, targets 48 major cities for coordinated infrastructure development. The initiative is designed not just to expand major terminals but to ensure equitable growth by enhancing the capacity of surrounding stations and sections. Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, emphasized the necessity of this expansion, citing sustained growth in passenger numbers. He stated that augmenting coaching terminals and operational capacities is essential to reduce congestion and improve nationwide rail connectivity.
The identified cities span the length and breadth of India and include:
- Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai
- Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Amdavad, Pune
- Patna, Lucknow, Nagpur, Varanasi
- Kanpur, Agra, Chandigarh, Amritsar
- Jaipur, Indore, Bhopal, Jammu
- Kochi, Vishakhapatnam, Vijaywada, Guwahati
- And many more including Coimbatore, Mysuru, and Ranchi.
Multi-Pronged Approach to Augmentation
The capacity doubling plan will be executed through a multi-faceted approach. Indian Railways will not only enlarge existing terminals but also construct new ones in and around urban hubs. A key component involves boosting maintenance capabilities by establishing mega coaching complexes. To allow more trains to run, sectional capacity will be increased through critical interventions like new signalling systems, traffic facility works, and multitracking of existing routes.
The planning intelligently moves beyond just the core terminals. For instance, when upgrading Pune station, the development of adjoining stations like Hadapsar, Khadki, and Alandi will be considered simultaneously. This method ensures congestion is distributed across a network rather than merely being shifted from one point to another. The plan also separately addresses the distinct operational needs of both suburban and non-suburban traffic.
Phased Implementation for Early Benefits
While the full doubling of capacity is targeted for 2030, passengers can expect to see incremental improvements much sooner. The Railways has categorized actions into immediate, short-term, and long-term phases, each with defined timelines and expected outcomes. This phased rollout means tangible benefits from reduced crowding and better services will be realized over the next five years.
Furthermore, all Zonal Railways have been directed to develop their own detailed capacity augmentation plans. These plans must address not just terminal constraints but also sectional capacity limits, yard operations, and other bottlenecks. This decentralized yet coordinated effort is expected to significantly ease rail congestion and foster the growth of rail travel across India, building a more robust and passenger-friendly network for the future.
