Ahmedabad: In a major infrastructure upgrade, Western Railway will develop a mega coaching terminal at Vatva in the Ahmedabad Division. This 3-kilometre-long facility is aimed at significantly reducing the load on Ahmedabad station and expanding train-handling capacity across the region. The project forms a crucial part of Western Railway’s plan to increase the division’s train management capacity by 2.5 times, enabling smoother operations, enhanced passenger convenience, and a future-ready railway network.

Key Features of the Vatva Mega Terminal

• The terminal will span approximately 3 km, with widths of 76 metres at LC-305, 300 metres at ROB-713 (SP Ring Road), and 118 metres at Khari Bridge No. 711.

• Twelve pit lines are being constructed to facilitate intensive and regular maintenance of trains.

• Twenty-nine stabling lines will allow safe parking of empty rakes.

• Two washing lines will ensure quick and continuous cleaning of rakes.

• Two sick lines (600 metres) will handle repairs and technical upgrades for damaged coaches.

• Six new platforms will be added, taking the total to nine, improving the starting and termination of trains.

• Once fully operational, the terminal will enable primary maintenance of 36 trains, platform returns for 15 trains, and handling of 51 trains per day.

• The Vatva Terminal alone will contribute nearly 85% of the division’s total capacity expansion.

Massive Capacity Additions Across Ahmedabad Division

Parallel to the Vatva project, major upgradation works are underway at Ahmedabad, Sabarmati, Asarwa, Gandhinagar Capital, and Gandhigram stations.

After completion of these upgrades, the Ahmedabad Division’s train origination capacity will jump from 58 to 150 trains per day — the highest increase so far.

Major Benefits for Passengers

• • Daily passenger-handling capacity will rise from 1.02 lakh to 2.62 lakh, a 2.5-fold increase.

• • More Express, MEMU, festival special, and long-distance services will become feasible.

• • New pit lines will support maintenance of 23-coach LHB rakes, Vande Bharat, and Amrit Bharat trains.

• • Reduced congestion at Ahmedabad and Sabarmati will significantly improve punctuality.

• • Faster maintenance and reduced turnaround times will enable smoother, more efficient operations.

• • Enhanced stabling, washing, and sick line facilities will improve cleanliness and upkeep of trains.

• • Key network-strengthening works, such as Ahmedabad yard remodelling, a new pit line and platform at Sabarmati, the Asarwa–Sabarmati Y-connection, and the Gandhigram–Sabarmati–Khodiyar Y-connection, will streamline movement and reduce delays.

Once all these projects are completed, the Ahmedabad Division is expected to become one of Western Railway’s most modern and efficient terminal clusters, with significantly improved passenger services and operational quality. DeshGujarat