Railways sanctions ₹299 crore remodelling of Visakhapatnam coaching yard
Indian Railways has sanctioned a ₹299 crore project to remodel the coaching yard at Visakhapatnam Railway Station to improve operational efficiency, increase capacity and enhance passenger amenities.
The project, to be executed by the South Coast Railway zone, envisages a comprehensive reorganisation of the existing coaching yard, including the construction of additional railway lines and platforms, and the installation of an Electronic Interlocking (EI) system.
Visakhapatnam Railway Station, one of the busiest terminals on the east coast, handles around 80,000 passengers and an average of 113 trains a day. According to railway officials, the existing yard layout requires both terminating and through trains to negotiate surface crossings, resulting in detention at approach signals, reduced platform availability and operational constraints.
The remodelling is expected to minimise conflicts arising from these surface crossings, improve platform utilisation and enable the station to handle additional train services.
The sanctioned works include the reorganisation of point zones following the dismantling of loop lines, the widening of the existing six platforms, and the construction of six additional platforms. Six new railway lines will also be laid as part of the project.
The new and widened platforms will be equipped with ramps, lifts and escalators to improve accessibility and facilitate passenger movement. The sanctioned works also include a new entrance on the eastern side of the station, relocation of the Passenger Reservation System (PRS), surface parking facilities, and a redesigned circulating area.
An Electronic Interlocking system will also be installed in the station yard to improve the efficiency of train operations.
Railway officials said the project is expected to ease congestion in the coaching yard, increase platform availability and facilitate smoother train movements. The additional infrastructure is also expected to help the station meet growing passenger demand while improving punctuality.