CR ayes Godhni for new coaching complex; cost of first phase pegged at Rs 250 crore

 

 

Central Railway has zeroed on Godhni for development of a new coaching complex. The coaching complex, going to be one of the largest of its kind in Central India, will be developed in two phases, with cost of first phase being pegged at upward of Rs 250 crore, stated Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Vinayak Garg. About 70 acres of land has been identified for development of coach maintenance facilities. Godhni lies on Nagpur-Delhi route and is just 7 kms from Nagpur Yard.

 

The proposal was finalised during the meeting chaired by Central Railway’s General Manager Dharamveer Meena on Sunday. He was in city with senior officers from Headquarters for inaugural run of Pune Vande Bharat train. DRM Garg, talking to ‘The Hitavada’ said, “The Headquarters suggested bifurcation of the coaching complex project in two phases, as in second phase, some adjacent Government land would need to be acquired. To avoid delay as acquisition is a lengthy process, initially first phase will be taken up as there is urgent need for same since number of terminal trains are going to increase in near future.” He hinted at increased traffic due to completion of 3rd and 4th line on Grand Trunk as well as Mumbai-Howrah routes. Explaining the scheme, Garg said, in the first phase, about seven lines, a combination of pit lines, sick lines cum holding lines is planned at Godhni where Railways is sitting on 100 acres of land.

 

As of now, one pit line and two holding lines was thought of, but looking at expanding numbers of trains with primary maintenance allotted to division, now plans are being revised with stress on having more pit lines. As of now, the primary maintenance of terminating trains is being carried out at Ajni Complex, but space there is falling short and there is no scope for its expansion. Godhni is best suited as maintenance complex needs to be in proximity of stations from where trains are going to originate. Vande Bharat: In the second phase, a coaching complex with specialisation to handle primary maintenance of Vande Bharat rakes is being thought of by the division officials.

 

At present, two pit lines at Nagpur station are catering to maintenance of Vande Bharat rakes whose composition is all together different from current LHB and ICF rakes. The DRM said, in second phase, the concept would be similar, two to three pit lines, and combination of sick lines and holding lines. To a question about tackling the increased traffic on Nagpur-Godhni route, the DRM said, they have already taken that into consideration and mentioned the same to General Manager during the meeting. Garg said, the division has requested Headquarters to first take up laying of new tracks for the 4th line on Nagpur-Godhni section as same would ensure that shunting operations do not disrupt movement of other trains on the route.

 

Already, 3rd line in the section is nearing completion and will be integrated with Nagpur Yard. The Nagpur-Godhni section is bisected by a double route chord line that is also quite busy. This chord section is exclusively meant for movement of goods rakes that allows for by-passing Nagpur Yard. One line from the chord section moves into Koradi and other one moves towards Kalmeshwar and ahead, on Delhi route. 

 

 

With Ajni terminus station already taking shape, Godhni is next to be developed on the similar pattern. At Ajni, about seven high-level platforms would be available and at Godhni, four platforms are being readied. DRM Vinayak Garg said, once these facilities get ready in next 2-3 years, Nagpur will have substantial capacity to end practice of detention of Mail/Express trains. At Godhni and also at Ajni, home platforms are being developed to promote car to coach concept that is a hit at Nagpur Railway Station. Godhni had two platforms and two new ones are being added, including one home platform. The platform construction is being handled by Construction Organisation of Central Railway. DRM Garg said, once Godhni is developed, the 16 trains that run on Howrah to New Delhi route will be operated from there. Further, in future, more trains going towards Delhi can start from Godhni itself. This would help in decongestion of Nagpur Yard, as right now, nearly an hour is required to move trains from Godhni to Kalamna via Nagpur Yard. At the same time, if a train moves directly from Godhni to Kalamna, it takes only 15 minutes. At Nagpur, due to engine reversal and other measures, nearly 45 minutes is wasted and so it’s going to be a proposition of big savings of time.