Archive · 28 Dec 2025
Railways Plans Major Infrastructure Expansion in 48 Cities
The Indian Railway Ministry has a big plan to make trains better in 48 cities.
They want to add more platforms where trains stop, build new train stations, and make existing ones bigger.
This is because more and more people are traveling by train, and they need to make sure there's enough space for everyone.
The plan includes cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and also specific developments in Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Visakhapatnam.
They will start doing some things right away, like adding platforms, and other things will take more time, like making sure all the stations can handle more trains.
They want to finish all the improvements by 2030, but they will start seeing benefits in the next five years.
The goal is to make train travel smoother and more comfortable for everyone.
However, there is a debate about whether Thiruvananthapuram should be included in this plan because it is a state capital and an important city.
Railway Ministry plans to double train-handling capacity in 48 major cities by 2030.
Immediate actions include adding platforms, developing new terminals, and constructing maintenance facilities.
Short-term actions involve upgrading stations and increasing sectional capacity.
Long-term actions focus on balancing capacity and addressing operational bottlenecks.
Specific developments in Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Visakhapatnam include new terminals, additional pit lines, and yard modifications.
- Who
- Indian Railway Ministry and East Coast Railway (ECoR)
- What
- Infrastructure expansion plan to double train-handling capacity in 48 major cities by 2030
- When
- Target year is 2030, with progressive enhancements over the next five years
- Where
- 48 major cities across India, including Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Visakhapatnam
- Why
- To meet the rapid growth in passenger demand and ease congestion
Inclusion of Thiruvananthapuram
Exclusion of Thiruvananthapuram
Inclusion in Vision 2030
Inclusion of Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram should be included in the Vision 2030 upgrades due to its status as a state capital and divisional headquarters, and its role as a gateway to the southern tip of the subcontinent.
Exclusion of Thiruvananthapuram
The current list of 48 cities does not include Thiruvananthapuram, focusing on other major cities for infrastructure upgrades.
- Target Cities
- 48 major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Patna, Pune, Mathura, Agra, Ludhiana, Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Visakhapatnam
- Target Year
- 2030
- Immediate Actions
- Adding platforms, developing new terminals, constructing maintenance facilities
- Short-Term Actions
- Upgrading stations, increasing sectional capacity
- Long-Term Actions
- Balancing capacity, addressing operational bottlenecks
- Example City
- Pune (Hadapsar, Khadki, Alandi stations and additional platforms)
- Puri Developments
- Two additional integrated pit lines, new terminal depot on Puri–Konark line
- Bhubaneswar Developments
- Bhubaneswar New Station as satellite coaching terminal, two-pit-line maintenance facility at Mancheswar
- Visakhapatnam Developments
- Yard modification with additional lines, platforms, stabling lines, and electronic interlocking
Sources
Railways Targets Platform Additions, New Terminals in 48 Cities
Redevelopment of New Delhi railway station: Two new buildings planned to serve 7 lakh passengers daily
Shashi Tharoor writes to Railway Minister over omission of Thiruvananthapuram from vision 2030 upgrades
ECoR to Double Train Capacity in Bhubaneswar, Puri and Vizag by 2030
Indian Railways Plans to Double Train Capacity in Major Cities in next 5 years
Indian Railways plans to double train capacity in major cities in next 5 years
Kerala Capital Thiruvananthapuram 'Omitted' From Rail Upgrade List, Shashi Tharoor Writes To Centre
