Indian Railways Sanctions Capacity And Connectivity Projects

02 Mar 2026 CW Team

Indian Railways has approved infrastructure projects across the Northern, Southern and Eastern Railway zones to modernise maintenance capacity, decongest corridors and improve efficiency. The measures, costing about Rs 8,716.36 million (mn) in total, will support higher passenger and freight services and strengthen port connectivity.

Shri Ganganagar Station in Rajasthan will receive coach maintenance upgrades under Phase-I at Rs 1,742.644 mn. The works will expand washing, stabling and maintenance lines and provide modern equipment, including automatic coach washing capability, raising average maintenance capacity by six rakes per day and enabling new services.

Lalgarh depot augmentation under Phase-II has been sanctioned at Rs 1,396.82 mn and will add washing lines, extend the sick line and build a service building while installing lifting systems and cranes. The development will improve readiness for Vande Bharat sets and reduce turnaround times.

Doubling of the 21.10-kilometre Turavur–Mararikulam section in Kerala is sanctioned at Rs 4,505.9 mn to enhance capacity on the Ernakulam–Alappuzha–Kayankulam corridor. The work will permit nine additional passenger trains per day in each direction and facilitate freight movement of about two point eight eight million tonnes (t) per annum, reducing detention of freight trains by up to 17 to 19 minutes and of passenger trains by about 12 to 15 minutes.

The four point seven five-kilometre Kalipahari Bypass Line in West Bengal has been approved at Rs 1,071.0 mn to eliminate engine reversal at Asansol Yard and cut yard congestion by providing direct connectivity between the two zones. The bypass is expected to save around 90 minutes for approximately nine freight trains per day and about 30 minutes for eight coaching trains, improving line capacity and turnaround. Collectively, these projects advance Indian Railways' drive to deliver faster, safer and more reliable services.

Infrastructure Urban

11 Mar 2026

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