Vasu Potnuru Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnamis poised for a major railway infrastructure expansion, with Indian Railways approving a comprehensive remodelling of the Visakhapatnam coaching yard at an estimated cost of around Rs 299 crore. The project aims to increase train-handling capacity, ease operational constraints and improve passenger facilities at one of the busiest railway hubs on the east coast.

The ambitious remodelling assumes greater significance as Visakhapatnam continues to grow as a major metropolitan, industrial and tourism hub, generating increasing demand for additional train services. Indian Railways identified Visakhapatnam among major cities where originating train capacity is targeted for substantial enhancement by 2030. Earlier plans for the yard envisaged additional passenger platforms, stabling lines and modern electronic interlocking as part of the capacity augmentation programme.

As part of the latest Rs.299-crore proposal, six new platforms and six additional railway lines are planned, while the existing six platforms are proposed to be widened. The expansion would provide greater flexibility for receiving, dispatching and handling trains and could reduce the pressure created when several services arrive or depart within short intervals. Wider platforms are expected to provide more space for passengers and improve movement during peak hours, holidays and festival seasons.

The additional infrastructure will strengthen Visakhapatnam’s ability to accommodate more originating and terminating services. At present, limitations in terminal and yard capacity influence the introduction and handling of additional trains. Expanding the number of lines and platforms would create room for future growth as passenger demand rises.

A major passenger-oriented component of the project is the proposed development of a new entrance on the eastern side of the station. This would effectively improve access to the station from both sides and streamline passenger movement more efficiently instead of concentrating traffic around the existing approaches. The plan includes surface parking and a redesigned circulation system intended to streamline the movement of private vehicles, taxis, auto-rickshaws and other modes of transport around the station.

The eastern-side development could become particularly important as the railway station serves passengers from different parts of the expanding Visakhapatnam urban area. Better segregation of arriving and departing vehicles and improved pedestrian movement could help reduce congestion around station entry and exit points, especially during the arrival and departure of major long-distance trains.

The remodelling also proposes electronic interlocking, replacing or upgrading existing signalling and route-control arrangements with a modern computer-based system. Electronic interlocking is designed to safely coordinate signals, points and train routes while providing railway operators greater flexibility in handling movements through a complex station yard. With additional platforms and lines being created, the signalling upgrade will be a crucial part of improving both capacity and operational safety.

The Rs 299-crore project comes amid a much broader railway infrastructure push in Andhra Pradesh. In April, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the state had received a record railway allocation of Rs 10,134 crore and announced that the South Coast Railway Zone would become effective from June 1, 2026.

Visakhapatnam is also set to benefit from major capacity expansion on the railway corridor towards Rajamahendravaram. The Union Cabinet approved multi-tracking of the Rajahmundry-Visakhapatnam section as part of a Rs 24,815-crore package covering projects in Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, further strengthening the terminal capacity in Visakhapatnam as the surrounding network gains additional line capacity.

Once implemented, the coaching yard remodelling will fundamentally change how Visakhapatnam railway station handles trains and passengers. The combination of six new platforms, six additional lines, widening of the existing platforms, modern electronic interlocking, an eastern-side entrance, surface parking and improved circulation facilities is expected to address present bottlenecks while creating capacity for future growth.

More importantly, the project paves the way for Visakhapatnam to handle a larger number of originating and terminating trains as railway traffic grows in the region. Along with the operationalisation of South Coast Railway and other major rail capacity projects around the city, the yard remodelling is set to strengthen Visakhapatnam’s position as a major railway gateway for Andhra Pradesh and the east coast.