The announcement was made at a function held at Pune railway station, where Vaishnaw flagged off the inaugural Pune-Sainagar Shirdi Express and laid the foundation stone for Pune Yard Remodelling along with other infrastructure works.
Vaishnaw emphasized Pune’s rapid growth, with a population exceeding 70 lakh, as a key factor driving the need for extensive railway expansion. The minister highlighted a master plan developed after a comprehensive study of the Pune metropolitan region, covering Pune, Hadapsar, Khadki, Shivajinagar, Ghorpadi, Phursungi, and Alandi.
The goal is to significantly increase railway capacity and improve connectivity within Maharashtra and across India. The plan includes several ongoing and upcoming projects:
– Hadapsar station has been expanded from three to four platforms, facilitating five additional trains. – Platforms 3 and 4 at Khadki station have been modernized, with another platform under construction. – Shivajinagar station received an extra platform and a stabling line. – Ghorpadi is being developed into a major coaching maintenance facility. – Pune station platforms will increase to 12, with six new platforms being constructed alongside extensions of existing facilities.
To optimize operational space, maintenance activities currently at Pune station are being shifted to Ghorpadi, Phursungi, and Alandi.
A key highlight is the development of a mega terminal at Alandi on existing railway land, chosen over Uruli to avoid high land acquisition costs of ₹200-₹300 crore. The Alandi terminal will feature nine platforms, seven pit lines, and 17 stabling lines, capable of handling about 35 trains daily.
Vaishnaw projected that all these works will be completed within three years. He noted the unique challenge of carrying out railway infrastructure development in India without shutting down train services.
The minister also noted rapid progress in the redevelopment of 132 railway stations across Maharashtra.
The event saw the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis via video conferencing, Union Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, MLC Vivek Kolhe, and other dignitaries.
Following the main event, Vaishnaw visited Hadapsar railway station, flagged off the Pune-Danapur Amrit Bharat Express, and engaged with schoolchildren and railway employees.
