Khadki Station to Offer Direct South India Routes, Reduce Congestion At Pune Railway Station

Khadki, 12th April 2025: The Indian Railways has commenced construction work to raise the height of Platform Number 3 at Khadki railway station, a key step in its plan to enhance passenger infrastructure and reduce the burden on Pune Junction. The project, backed by a budget allocation of ₹35 crore from the Railway Board, is expected to be completed within the next two months.

The upgradation at Khadki is part of a broader initiative by the Pune Railway Division, which includes developing alternative train terminals at Khadki and Hadapsar. These new terminals are aimed at improving train operations, easing congestion, and enhancing overall commuter experience.

New Terminal to Decongest Pune Junction
A senior railway official confirmed that Khadki station is being developed as a coaching terminal, with the current phase focused on platform modifications. “The first step is to bring the platform to the standard height. Once completed, select passenger trains will be operated from here, which will provide commuters with an alternative boarding point,” the official said.

At present, Pune Junction faces significant delays, with many trains waiting 20 to 25 minutes near the home signal due to platform unavailability. The move to start train operations from Khadki is expected to minimize such delays. Once operational, these trains will require only brief halts—around 5 to 10 minutes—at Pune Junction, thus clearing space for other services.

Direct Connectivity to Southern India

Officials also revealed that the plan includes introducing direct train services from Khadki to southern destinations such as Chennai and Bengaluru. “This development will particularly benefit passengers travelling long distances, reducing both travel time and the crowd at Pune station,” the official added.

Improved Services and Passenger Benefits
Once operational, the new terminal at Khadki is expected to serve thousands of daily commuters, especially those from northern Pune and surrounding areas. The railways aim to improve train punctuality and offer better platform availability by dispersing train departures and arrivals across multiple stations.