NWR plans decentralised railway terminals to decongest Jaipur junction

Jaipur: In a move aimed at reducing congestion at the city's main railway station, North Western Railway (NWR) has unveiled plans for a decentralised railway terminal system. The initiative targets the enhancement of suburban railway stations including Khatipura (on city outskirts), Gandhi Nagar, Sanganer, and Dehar Ka Balaji, transforming them into efficient terminal stations capable of handling increased passenger traffic and train operations.Currently, Jaipur Junction serves as one of the busiest railway stations in the region, managing around 268 trains daily and witnessing footfall exceeding 200,000 passengers. As passenger numbers continue to rise, NWR is taking proactive steps to upgrade these nearby stations to accommodate more train stoppages and improve operational capabilities.Amit Sudarshan, Chief Public Relations Officer of NWR, Friday emphasised the importance of these developments, saying, "With our congestion issues at Jaipur Junction becoming increasingly pronounced, strengthening surrounding stations is essential to distributing passenger traffic more evenly across the city."Gandhi Nagar Jaipur railway station, a focal point of this decentralisation strategy, has recently been equipped to handle stoppages for 82 trains and presently accommodates nearly 14,000 passengers daily. This upgrade has significantly alleviated the burdens placed on Jaipur Junction.Additionally, Khatipura railway station is on track to become a prominent satellite terminal. A notable investment of nearly Rs 205 crore is being made to establish a Coach Care Complex that will enable maintenance for modern rolling stock, including Vande Bharat trains and LHB coaches. Currently, Khatipura caters to around 2,500 passengers each day.Further developments are underway at Dehar Ka Balaji railway station on the Jaipur-Neem Ka Thana and Jaipur-Sikar routes, where infrastructure enhancements are set to take place to serve the daily influx of about 4,500 passengers across 26 trains. These upgrades include a second station entrance at an estimated cost of Rs 13.5 crore, installation of lifts, and expansion of platform shelters.On the Sanganer front, plans are in motion under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, with an estimated investment of Rs 107 crore to bring modern facilities like lifts, escalators, improved waiting areas, and renovated station buildings.In addition, NWR has proposed a Mega Coaching Terminal at Bhatton Ki Gali, near Dehar Ka Balaji, with a substantial investment forecast of around Rs 800 crore, signifying a long-term vision for enhancing railway infrastructure in the region.