Indian Railways is planning a major upgrade of railway infrastructure in Pune over the next five years.
The project aims to improve passenger capacity, reduce congestion, and prepare the city’s rail network for growing travel demand.
The expansion plan includes six new platforms, longer existing platforms, 60 additional trains, and two satellite stations to handle future passenger traffic more efficiently.
Pune Railway Station Set for Major Expansion
One of the main goals of the project is to double the passenger capacity at Pune railway station.
With the city’s population growing rapidly, railway officials say the current infrastructure needs to be upgraded.
At present, around 50 trains originate from Pune, but this number is expected to increase to about 110 trains within the next five years.
To support this growth, existing platforms will be extended so they can accommodate longer trains.
The railways also plan to add 198 extra coaches to 75 existing trains, which could benefit nearly 20,000 passengers.
In addition, 60 new trains are expected to be introduced.
These new services could help carry around 1.5 lakh additional passengers.
This expansion is part of a larger national railway upgrade program announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to improve capacity at 48 major stations, including Pune, Mumbai, and Nagpur.
Satellite Stations Planned to Reduce Congestion
To reduce pressure on the main station, railway officials are also planning to build two satellite stations and upgrade nearby railway facilities.
The idea is to shift some train operations to these new locations so that Pune station does not become overcrowded.
Under this plan, new coaching terminals will be developed at:
Alandi
Uruli
Phursungi
These terminals will help manage additional train services without putting extra pressure on the main station.
According to Hemantkumar Behera, Public Relations Officer for the Pune Division of Indian Railways, these improvements will reduce waiting list tickets and make more trains available to passengers.
Key Infrastructure Upgrades Planned
Several important infrastructure upgrades are expected under the expansion project.
Six new platforms will be built at Pune station.
Existing platforms will be extended to handle longer trains.
At Hadapsar station, three platforms will be lengthened.
At Khadki station, platforms 3 and 4 will be extended and raised.
The new coaching terminal at Alandi will include nine platforms, eight pit lines, and eight stabling lines.
The planned mega terminus at Uruli will feature 10 platforms, four EMU platforms, 10 pit lines, and 10 stabling lines.
Meanwhile, the station at Phursungi will be upgraded with five new stabling lines.
What This Means for Passengers
Once completed, the expansion is expected to reduce congestion, increase train availability, and improve passenger experience in Pune.
With more trains, longer platforms, and new satellite stations, the railway network in the region will be better prepared to handle the city’s rapidly growing travel demand in the coming years.
