Railways sanctions RS 871 crore infra projects across Rajasthan, Kerala, West Bengal

Indian Railways has sanctioned a series of capacity and connectivity projects worth Rs 871 crore aimed at accelerating infrastructure modernisation, enhancing maintenance capabilities, and improving operational efficiency across the Northern, Southern and Eastern Railway zones, as per the statement released by the Ministry of Railways on Thursday.

According to the Ministry of Railways, the approved works include development and augmentation of coaching maintenance facilities in Rajasthan, doubling of a key section in Kerala, and construction of a bypass line in West Bengal.

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At Shri Ganganagar station under the North Western Railway, Phase-I development of coach maintenance facilities has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 174.26 crore.

The project includes construction of two 600-metre washing lines, three 650-metre stabling lines, two pit lines, a wheel lathe line, and a 650-metre engine escape line, along with a sick line shed and modern machinery. The facility is expected to raise maintenance capacity by six additional rakes per day.

In Lalgarh, Rajasthan, Phase-II augmentation of coaching maintenance infrastructure has been cleared at Rs 139.68 crore. The works include a new 600-metre washing line, covered shed over four washing lines, sick line extension, service building, retractable OHE, synchronized coach lifting systems, Automatic Coach Washing Plants, and 25-tonne EOT cranes. The expansion is designed to support the growing fleet of LHB and Vande Bharat train sets in the Bikaner region.

For the Southern Railway zone, doubling of the 21.10-km Turavur–Mararikulam section in Kerala has been sanctioned at Rs 450.59 crore. The section lies on the busy Ernakulam–Alappuzha–Kayankulam corridor. The ministry stated that the doubling will enable operation of nine additional passenger trains per day in each direction and boost freight movement by approximately 2.88 million tonnes annually. The project is also expected to reduce detention time for freight and passenger trains.

Meanwhile, under Eastern Railway, construction of the 4.75-km Kalipahari Bypass Line in West Bengal has been approved at Rs 107.10 crore. The bypass will eliminate the need for engine reversal at Asansol Yard, saving up to 90 minutes for freight trains and about 30 minutes for coaching trains, while easing congestion in the Asansol area.

The Ministry of Railways said the projects align with Indian Railways’ vision of building a modern, efficient, and high-capacity rail network through targeted investments in maintenance modernisation, corridor expansion, and operational decongestion.