East Coast Railway infra upgrades on track in Bhubaneswar, Puri and Visakhapatnam

Bhubaneswar: To upgrade railway infrastructure to meet increasing passenger demand, East Coast Railway (ECoR) has planned doubling the train originating capacity from Bhubaneswar, Puri and Visakhapatnam over next five years.Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the move aims to expand coaching terminals and enhance sectional and operational capacities in major cities under East Coast Railway. “We are expanding coaching terminals and improving capacities to meet rising passenger demand, reduce congestion and strengthen nationwide connectivity,” he said.According to ECoR officials, the sustained increase in travel demand necessitates doubling the capacity of major cities to originate new trains by 2030. To achieve this, existing infrastructure in Bhubaneswar, Puri and Visakhapatnam is being augmented to cater to future requirements.At Puri, two additional full-length integrated pit lines are under construction to supplement the existing six. The entire coaching maintenance facility is proposed to be shifted to a new second coaching terminal depot on the sanctioned Puri-Konark new line, where a large-scale coaching complex is planned.At Bhubaneswar, the upcoming new Bhubaneswar station is being developed as a satellite coaching terminal with a maintenance facility of two pit lines at Mancheswar and dedicated connectivity. Owing to space constraints, new depots are also being proposed in nearby areas.For Visakhapatnam, the Railway Board is considering a detailed project report (DPR) for yard modification — providing five additional lines, six new passenger platforms, 10 stabling lines and electronic interlocking. Jaganadhpuram station on the proposed Kottavalasa-Anakapalle bypass line is being planned as a mega coaching maintenance depot and large-scale complex to function as a satellite station.ECoR officials said multiple sectional capacity enhancement projects are progressing, including automatic block signalling and flyovers in the Puri area; pit line electrification, safety fencing, fourth lines and bypass surveys in the Bhubaneswar area; and several third/fourth/fifth/sixth lines, flyovers and bypass projects in the Visakhapatnam area.A comprehensive plan covering Bhubaneswar, Puri and Visakhapatnam among the 48 major cities identified by Indian Railways is under implementation.