Pune-Mumbai Train Route to See Improved Passenger Experience as Platform Expansion Progresses

Pune, 15th September 2023: Passengers traveling on the bustling Pune-Mumbai train route are all too familiar with the daily crowds and occasional incidents of disputes. To address this challenge, the railway administration has embarked on an initiative to extend the platforms at Pune railway station, aiming to accommodate more passengers and provide a smoother experience. 

Currently, 30% of the platform extension work has been completed, allowing LHB 24 and ICF 26 coach trains to efficiently arrive and depart from platforms 2/3/6 at Pune railway station. This expansion will significantly bolster Central Railway’s capacity to accommodate a higher volume of passengers in these coaches.

The Pune railway station has witnessed a steady increase in the number of travelers, and despite adding more trains to the schedule, the existing capacity remains insufficient. In response to this growing demand, Indian Railways is concurrently developing a new terminal at Hadapsar. However, with Mumbai being a prominent destination, the railway administration has decided to augment the number of coaches on trains serving this route. Even with these additional coaches, the length of the existing platforms remains inadequate to accommodate longer trains consisting of 16 or 18 coaches.

To tackle this issue, the railway administration has initiated the expansion of platforms 2, 3, and 6. The work has already commenced and is estimated to cost Rs 51.85 crore. The expansion project encompasses several critical components:

• Arrangement for 24 and 26 Coach Trains: Platforms 2/3/6 will be adapted to accommodate 24 and 26 coach trains efficiently.
• Installation of Six Double Diamond Switches: This infrastructure improvement will enhance operational flexibility and efficiency.
• Converting Lines into Main Lines: Line 3 will be converted into an UP mainline, and Line 4 will become a DN mainline.
• Lengthening Platforms for Goods Trains: Construction will be carried out to ensure that full-length goods trains can stand on platforms 1 and 2.

Significant progress has already been made, including the extension of line number 6 towards Mumbai, the connection of line number 8 to a new washing siding, completion of 300 meters of track length, and the packing of railway track along a 1-kilometer stretch. Additionally, a contract has been awarded for the installation of overhead wires, and work is underway to relocate data loggers and fuse alarms to create a new relay room. These collective efforts are geared toward enhancing passenger comfort and streamlining operations on the busy Pune-Mumbai train route.