Jabalpur: Jabalpur’s railway infrastructure is poised for a massive overhaul, with the main station slated to join the ranks of the world’s best. This promising development, along with details on other crucial projects, was shared by West Central Railway (WCR) Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Harshita Shrivastava in an exclusive interview with Navabharat/Central Chronicle.
Festive Season: An Opportunity for Service Excellence
Addressing the logistical demands of major holidays, Mr. Shrivastava stated that WCR views festivals like Diwali, Dussehra, and Chhath as an opportunity rather than a challenge. These periods allow the railway to demonstrate and enhance its crowd management capabilities. The core focus remains on regulating large crowds, operating additional trains, and ensuring passenger convenience, ultimately raising the standard of service for commuters.
India’s Longest Viaduct to Solve Katni Congestion
A major infrastructure bottleneck is being tackled with the Katni Grade Separator, a key WCR project guided by General Manager Shobhana Bandopadhyay. The CPRO highlighted that the route is heavily used by coal and cement freight trains, causing significant delays—often hours long—for passenger trains from Itarsi to Jabalpur and beyond. The solution is the construction of Rs 33.40 km Grade Separator, which will become Indian Railways’ longest viaduct upon completion. With an estimated cost of Rs 1,800 Crore, the Down Grade Separator section is already operational for freight trains, ensuring direct, non-stop movement and successfully reducing delays.
Main Station to Gain Two New Platforms
To handle the continuously increasing rail traffic, Jabalpur Railway Station is set to expand its capacity. The CPRO confirmed that the station will add two new platforms on the Platform No. 1 side, increasing the total count from six to eight. The budget has already been passed, and designs, which include provisions for 24-coach trains, are being finalized. This expansion necessitates the demolition of old quarters and buildings on Platform No. 1 and involves extending the existing Platform No. 1-A to efficiently accommodate more services.
Madan Mahal Terminal Nears Completion
The Madan Mahal Station is undergoing rapid redevelopment, modeled after the world-class Rani Kamlapati Station (Bhopal), and is expected to be completed by February next year. Developed as a Terminal Station at a cost of Rs 120 Crore, it will significantly alleviate pressure on the main Jabalpur station. The project includes platform extensions, renovation, a new foot overbridge, and new rail lines. Once commissioned, trains heading towards South India will operate from Madan Mahal, boosting the city’s standing for superior rail passenger facilities.
