Jamshedpur: The ambitious plan to construct a state-of-the-art coaching depot for Vande Bharat Express trains at Tatanagar Railway Station has hit a financial and administrative roadblock. According to recent RTI data, the project budget has been reduced by over ₹16 crore following revisions suggested by the Railway Board.
The information was made public after Shashank Shekhar, a member of the Railway Fans Club, filed a Right to Information (RTI) query regarding the status of the mega-project.
Budget Revision: From ₹399 Crore to ₹383 Crore
Initially, the South Eastern Railway (SER) zone had submitted a proposal worth over ₹399 crore to the Railway Board for the construction of the new depot in the Tatanagar Loco Colony area. However, the Board returned the proposal, requesting specific modifications and cost optimizations.
Key Financial Updates:
- Original Proposal: ₹399+ Crore
- Revised Proposal: ₹383.79 Crore
- Total Reduction: Approx. ₹16 Crore
The South Eastern Zone has since resubmitted the revised estimate of ₹383.79 crore to the Railway Board and is currently awaiting final approval to begin the tendering process.
Why Tatanagar Needs the New Coaching Depot
Tatanagar Station is currently grappling with a surge in train frequency, leading to significant congestion at existing washing lines. The new depot is considered critical for several reasons:
- Vande Bharat Maintenance: Currently, a single dedicated line handles the maintenance of Vande Bharat rakes. A full-scale depot is required for specialized technical inspections and high-speed upkeep.
- Washing Line Congestion: With more trains being introduced, the existing infrastructure for coach washing and minor repairs is stretched beyond capacity.
- Operational Safety: The new facility will ensure “safe and time-bound operations” by providing modern tools for coach health monitoring.
Delays in Construction
The “return-and-resubmit” process between the South Eastern Railway and the Railway Board has inevitably delayed the groundbreaking ceremony. Residents and railway enthusiasts have expressed concern that while train traffic at Tatanagar is increasing rapidly, the infrastructure growth is struggling to keep pace.
Once the ₹383.79 crore proposal receives the green signal, the Tatanagar Loco Colony will undergo a massive transformation to house one of the region’s most advanced railway maintenance hubs.
