en.Wedoany.com Reported - Indian Railways has approved the redevelopment project for the Visakhapatnam Coaching Yard, with a budget of ₹299 crore, under the jurisdiction of the South Coast Railway zone. The scope of work includes the construction of six new platforms, the addition of six new railway lines, an upgrade to the Electronic Interlocking signal system, improved accessibility facilities, and a new station entrance, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and passenger convenience.
Visakhapatnam railway station is one of India's busiest railway terminals, handling approximately 80,000 passengers daily and processing 113 train movements. Due to the constraints of the existing yard layout, terminating and through trains frequently experience level crossings, leading to train delays, reduced platform availability, and lower operational efficiency. This redevelopment will eliminate these bottlenecks by redesigning the coaching yard layout and introducing modern railway systems, streamlining train operations and improving punctuality.
The approved works also include: widening the existing six platforms to accommodate higher passenger volumes; dismantling and reconfiguring the sidings and turnout zones to optimize the yard layout; constructing a new entrance on the eastern side of the station and relocating the Passenger Reservation System (PRS); adding ramps, elevators, and escalators to improve accessibility; and developing ground-level parking facilities along with a station traffic circulation plan.
From an operational perspective, the redevelopment will reduce route conflicts within the coaching yard, improve platform occupancy rates, and shorten waiting times for trains before entry signals, enabling smoother operations for originating and through trains. The additional tracks and platforms will also enhance the station's capacity to handle growing rail traffic, contributing to better punctuality and reduced operational delays. For passengers, the widened platforms, accessibility features such as elevators and escalators, and the new eastern entrance will make station navigation more convenient, while the streamlined external traffic flow and parking facilities are expected to alleviate surrounding congestion.
As passenger demand continues to grow, the six new platforms and six additional railway lines will provide Visakhapatnam station with greater operational flexibility, allowing it to accommodate more trains without compromising efficiency. This project aligns with Indian Railways' overarching goals of modernizing key railway hubs, enhancing capacity, adopting advanced signaling systems, and building passenger-centric infrastructure.
