Jamnagar: Western Railway has recently commissioned its newly built combined wagon shed at Hapa Yard in Jamnagar under the Rajkot Division to strengthen maintenance capacity of freight wagons and improve goods transportation efficiency. The project has been completed at a cost of Rs 45.41 crore and is expected to significantly enhance wagon repair capacity and reduce turnaround time.

With the commissioning of the new facility, inspection, repair and maintenance of various types of freight wagons, including BTNP, BCN and BTPLN, can now be carried out in a faster, safer and more systematic manner, which will improve operational efficiency.

The newly constructed shed measures 172 metres in length and 25 metres in width, with a height of 16.5 metres. It has a self-supporting lightweight proflex roof sheet, and three railway tracks have been laid inside for wagon maintenance. Hardonite flooring has been provided to withstand heavy equipment use, while inspection gantries and platforms have been installed to allow safe access to the upper parts of wagons.

The facility has been connected to the yard through dedicated railway lines, and a modern administrative building measuring 78 × 9 metres has also been constructed with multiple rooms, including a separate restroom for women employees. Additional infrastructure such as a parking space, service road and underground water tank has also been developed.

Officials said the new shed will sharply increase repair capacity. Earlier, about 12 wagons could be repaired per day, which is now expected to rise to around 56 wagons per day. Monthly routine overhauling capacity is also likely to increase from about 70 wagons to over 125 wagons. The time required to repair sick wagons is expected to reduce from around 10 days to nearly three days, helping reduce congestion in the yard.

Divisional Railway Manager Giriraj Kumar Meena said the new facility will make wagon maintenance faster and more efficient, ensuring quicker availability of wagons for freight movement. This will benefit industries and traders by improving goods transport and will also increase railway freight capacity and revenue. DeshGujarat