Indian Railways Approves ₹299 Crore Visakhapatnam Coaching Yard Remodelling Project
Indian Railways has sanctioned a comprehensive ₹299 crore remodelling project for the Visakhapatnam Coaching Yard under South Coast Railway to significantly enhance passenger infrastructure and operational efficiency. The project addresses current operational constraints at one of the country's busiest railway terminals, which handles approximately 80,000 passengers daily with an average of 113 trains, by eliminating surface crossings that cause train detentions at approach signals and reduce platform availability.
The scope of work includes dismantling loop lines and reorganizing point zones, widening all six existing platforms, constructing six additional platforms equipped with modern passenger amenities, and building six additional railway lines. The project will develop passenger utilities including ramps, lifts, and escalators on widened platforms to improve accessibility. A new entrance on the eastern side of the station will be created along with relocation of the Passenger Reservation System (PRS).
Key infrastructure enhancements include installation of Electronic Interlocking (EI) in the station yard, development of surface parking facilities, and implementation of an efficient circulating area plan. The remodelling is expected to minimize surface crossing impacts, reduce detention time, improve platform occupancy, and enable handling of additional trains while improving punctuality. The project aims to transform passenger experience through modern amenities and efficient station layout while accommodating growing passenger demand at the Visakhapatnam terminal.