Central Railway Announces Priority for Pune Station Redevelopment and Yard Remodeling
In a significant announcement, Central Railway General Manager Prateek Goswami has declared that the long-delayed redevelopment of Pune Railway Station and the comprehensive remodeling of the Pune yard will now be taken up on a priority basis. This move aims to address the critical infrastructure needs of one of Maharashtra's busiest railway hubs.
Phased Shift to Alternative Stations
Goswami revealed that work on alternative stations, specifically Hadapsar and Khadki, is more than 90% complete. Once these stations become fully operational, train operations will be shifted from Pune Station in a phased manner. This strategic relocation is essential to kickstart both the yard remodeling and station redevelopment projects without disrupting existing services.
Details of the Pune Yard Remodeling Project
The Pune yard remodeling project has been in the pipeline since 2017-18, facing numerous delays. The approved plan involves:
- Increasing the length of the six existing platforms to accommodate longer trains.
- Adding six additional platforms to significantly boost overall capacity.
After years of technical adjustments and planning, a final blueprint was approved in May of last year, paving the way for implementation. The broader station redevelopment follows a similar timeline, with both projects now receiving renewed focus.
Decentralizing Traffic and Upgrading Infrastructure
In addition to Hadapsar and Khadki, the railways are also planning to upgrade Uruli and Alandi stations. This initiative aims to further decentralize traffic and reduce congestion at the main Pune Station. Currently, seven trains originate and six terminate at Hadapsar, demonstrating its growing role in the network.
However, Goswami refrained from providing a specific launch date for the Pune station work, emphasizing that the shift in operations to alternative stations is the necessary precursor. The urgency of the project is underscored by Pune Station's massive operational footprint.
Addressing Critical Congestion Issues
Pune Station handles over 150,000 passengers daily and serves as the hub for more than 70 originating trains, alongside dozens of passing services. The resulting congestion has led to frequent passenger complaints regarding inadequate facilities and heavy crowding.
"The railways have discussed this for years, but the need is now critical," said a regular commuter, highlighting public frustration. "Due to the platform shortage, long-distance trains are often forced to wait outside the station for hours. We need clear timelines, not just promises."
Mumbai-Pune High-Speed Rail Corridor Update
Addressing another major infrastructure project, Goswami confirmed that surveys for the proposed Mumbai-Pune high-speed rail corridor will commence shortly. This follows the Union Budget announcement and subsequent remarks by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who stated that the high-speed link aims to reduce travel time between the two cities to just 48 minutes.
The integration of these projects—station redevelopment, yard remodeling, and high-speed rail—reflects a comprehensive approach to modernizing Pune's railway infrastructure, aiming to enhance passenger experience and operational efficiency in the coming years.
