By 2030, Indian Railways intends to treble train originating capacity in 48 key cities. The action is intended to improve nationwide connection, alleviate traffic, and satisfy growing passenger demand. “We’re expanding coaching terminals and improving sectional and operational capacities across various cities to address growing passenger demand and reduce congestion,” stated Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. This project will enhance connectivity across the country and modernize our train system.
The Reasons Behind Indian Railways’ Capacity Expansion
The demand for passenger transport has been rapidly increasing in recent years, putting tremendous strain on the railway system. It is challenging to accommodate future development because many large city terminals are already running at their full capacity. Upgrades to the current infrastructure are desperately needed to manage the expected increase in traffic, as congestion at large stations is negatively impacting operations and punctuality. Indian Railways has emphasized that in order to accommodate future travel demands and guarantee more seamless passenger transport, existing infrastructure must be greatly expanded.
Principal Goals of the Expansion Plan
- Double the number of trains originating from major cities.
- Reduce congestion at high-traffic stations.
- Improve punctuality and operational efficiency.
- Strengthen suburban and long-distance rail services.
- Ensure balanced traffic distribution across stations.
Planned Improvements to Infrastructure
To achieve the 2030 target, Indian Railways will undertake:
- Construction of additional platforms at existing terminals.
- Expansion of stabling lines, pit lines, and shunting facilities.
- Identification and development of new terminals in and around urban areas.
- Creation of maintenance facilities, including mega coaching complexes.
- Signalling upgrades and traffic facility works.
- Multi-tracking projects to boost sectional capacity.
48 Cities Will Have Their Capacity Doubled
Delhi, Mumbai (Central & Western Railway), Kolkata (Eastern, South Eastern & Metro), Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Patna, Puri, Lucknow, Pune, Nagpur, Varanasi, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Mathura, Ayodhya, Agra, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Indore, Bhopal, Ujjain, Jammu, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Vadodara, Surat, Madgaon, Kochi, Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati, Haridwar, Guwahati, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, Mysuru, Coimbatore, Tatanagar, Ranchi, Raipur, Bareilly.
Strategy for Implementation
- All Zonal Railways have been instructed to plan capacity enhancement across divisions.
- Focus areas include terminals, sections, stations, and yards.
- Operational constraints affecting train movement will be addressed.
- Upgrades will target both suburban and long-distance services.
- Cities with heavy commuter traffic will receive priority improvements.
In order to disperse train traffic and ease the strain on certain hubs, Indian Railways will also build stations near significant terminals. For instance, Pune station will have more platforms and stabling lines in addition to enhancements at Hadapsar, Khadki, and Alandi.
Although doubling origination capacity by 2030 is the ultimate goal, the rollout will be gradually over the following five years to give passengers early benefits. The action plan consists of short-term initiatives, long-term infrastructure projects, and immediate actions.
