Central Railway Accelerates Kumbh 2027 Infrastructure Upgrades Across Five Key Stations in Nashik Region

Nashik, 2nd June 2026: Central Railway’s Bhusawal Division has intensified large-scale railway infrastructure augmentation works at five key stations — Devlali, Nashik Road, Odha, Kherwadi and Kasbe Sukene as part of preparations for Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027.

The works are aimed at enhancing passenger handling capacity, improving operational flexibility, strengthening crowd dispersal systems and upgrading passenger amenities ahead of the massive influx of pilgrims expected during the Kumbh period.

According to railway officials, the infrastructure development plan includes construction of additional passenger platforms, yard remodelling, Electronic Interlocking (EI) systems, loop and stabling lines, Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) with ramps, Cover Over Platforms (COP), passenger holding areas, circulating area development, water supply augmentation, sanitation facilities, Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), staff quarters and operational buildings.

At Devlali station, multiple infrastructure projects are progressing simultaneously. These include construction of additional high-level passenger platforms, Electronic Interlocking works, stabling facilities, FOBs with ramps and a 100 KLD Sewage Treatment Plant.

Railway officials said Electronic Interlocking works involving 73 EI routes are currently under execution. Construction of EI and OC buildings has advanced substantially, and the ground floor has already been handed over to the Signalling and Telecommunications department for installation activities.

Platform construction work for approximately 555-metre-long UP and DN side high-level platforms is underway, while foundation and ramp works for FOBs at both ends are also progressing. Major components of the Sewage Treatment Plant, including drainage pipelines, equalisation tank, treated water tank, pump house and installation of the STP unit, have also been completed.

Additional stabling lines, pit lines, sick lines, gang huts, track machine huts and staff quarters are also under execution at Devlali as part of operational planning for Kumbh services.

Nashik Road station, one of the primary passenger handling centres during Simhastha Kumbh Mela, is being upgraded with new passenger circulation infrastructure. The works include construction of a 12-metre-wide FOB and a 6-metre-wide FOB, expansion of Cover Over Platform areas, improvement of circulating areas and augmentation of water supply and toilet facilities.

Railway officials stated that special emphasis is being placed on crowd dispersal and passenger movement planning considering the expected surge in pilgrim footfall during peak bathing days.

At Odha station, infrastructure development works include additional loop lines, six stabling lines, Electronic Interlocking works, FOBs, holding areas and passenger amenities.

The land acquisition process for Odha station has largely been completed. Railway officials said possession of approximately 3.43 hectares of land was taken on May 19, 2026, while supplementary acquisition of an additional 0.1 hectare has also been completed. Construction activities have commenced on the acquired land in coordination with local authorities.

Kherwadi station is also undergoing major upgrades focused on improving operational flexibility and passenger handling. The projects include island platform development, additional stabling lines, FOBs with ramps, circulating area expansion and passenger amenity works.

Officials said possession of previously acquired land parcels has already been completed, while supplementary land acquisition and mutation processes for additional land are currently underway. Yard remodelling and crossover works are being planned in coordination with signalling, electrical and operating departments to minimise disruption to train operations during execution.

Kasbe Sukene station is being strengthened with additional loop and stabling lines, platform development works, FOBs, passenger amenities and dedicated holding areas for crowd management.

Railway officials said land acquisition activities at Kasbe Sukene are progressing in coordination with district administration and revenue authorities. Joint Measurement Record activities have been completed and the mutation and possession process is underway. Work execution has already commenced in proposed land acquisition areas.

Dedicated passenger holding areas are being developed at all five stations to manage heavy crowds during peak Kumbh days. Additional toilet blocks, water supply arrangements, circulating areas and passenger shelters are also being constructed station-wise.

Central Railway is also increasing water storage capacity through construction of additional overhead and underground tanks, while expanding Cover Over Platform areas and sanitation facilities across major stations.

Officials said Civil, Track, Signalling and Telecommunications, Traction Distribution and Electrical departments are executing the works in a phased and coordinated manner. Non-Interlocking planning, EI works, Automatic Block Signalling works, track linking and electrical modifications are being synchronised to ensure timely completion with minimal impact on train operations.

Continuous monitoring of the projects is being carried out at divisional level to expedite completion ahead of Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027, which is expected to attract lakhs of pilgrims to the Nashik and Trimbakeshwar region during the Shahi Snan period.