In an ambitious five-year plan, Indian Railways is all set to greatly enhance the rail infrastructure in Pune.
They are planning to extend the current platforms, to include six new platforms, as they are planning to add 60 more trains, and create two satellite stations to reduce congestion at the main terminal in the city.
Pune Station Up For Expansion
Their main goal in creating this plan is to double the passenger capacity at Pune station, in line with the city’s fast-growing population and increasing travel needs according to the officials.
Presently, 50 trains originate from Pune and in the next five years this number is projected to rise to 110 trains.
Besides the addition of new platforms, Indian Railways will lengthen the existing platforms at Pune station to fit longer trains.
They will be adding 198 new coaches to 75 current trains and it would benefit nearly 20,000 passengers.
In addition to this, 60 new trains are anticipated to accommodate around 1.5 lakh more passengers.
When it comes to this expansion, it is basically the part of a national effort announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to improve capacity at 48 key railway stations, including Pune, Mumbai, and Nagpur.
Introduction For Satellite Stations
In order to tackle the space limitations at the main terminal, the railway officials have opted to create two satellite stations and enhance nearby facilities to manage future growth.
Under this plan, they will be introducing major coaching terminals at Alandi (Satara line), Uruli, and Phursungi just to ensure that the additional train services do not burden Pune station.
Public Relations Officer for the Pune Division, Hemantkumar Behera said, “These improvements will lessen the strain on the main station and help reduce waiting list tickets by increasing the availability of trains and coaches.”
While all this development happens, let’s go through the list of expansion to be expected across the key stations in Pune.
- Construction of 6 new platforms.
- Extension of existing platforms.
- Hadapsar – Length extension of 3 platforms.
- Khadki – Height and length increase of Platforms 3 and 4.
- Alandi (New Coaching Terminal) will have 9 platforms, 8 pit lines and 8 stabling lines.
- Uruli (Mega Terminus) will have 10 platforms, 4 EMU platforms, 10 pit lines, 10 stabling lines.
- Phursungi station will have 5 new stabling lines.
