₹383-Crore Mega Project Awaiting Railway Board Approval
Jamshedpur: Tatanagar railway station is likely to emerge as a major maintenance hub for Vande Bharat Express trains. The long-awaited plan to expand the coaching depot and develop a dedicated Vande Bharat maintenance yard at Tatanagar has now reached its final stage.
The South Eastern Railway has submitted a revised proposal for the ambitious mega project to the Railway Board, New Delhi. The proposal, amounting to ₹383.79 crore, has been pending for approval since December 23. Once cleared, the project is expected to significantly boost railway infrastructure development in the Chakradharpur Division.
Project status revealed through RTI
The current status of the Tatanagar coaching depot expansion and Vande Bharat maintenance yard came to light through a recent RTI reply. RTI activist Shashank Shekhar Swain had sought details from South Eastern Railway regarding the project’s budget and progress.
In its response dated January 5, the railway clarified that the detailed estimate for the maintenance of Vande Bharat trains and relocation of the existing coaching depot was recast in line with technical requirements. While the project was earlier estimated at around ₹400 crore, the revised cost has now been fixed at ₹383.79 crore. After completing all technical and administrative formalities, the proposal was forwarded to the Railway Board on December 23.
Project delayed for years
Plans to develop a maintenance yard for Vande Bharat trains at Tatanagar have been under discussion for the past two to three years. However, technical challenges and space constraints repeatedly delayed progress. Proposals were also drawn up to give Tatanagar station a world-class look, including a second entry point from the Burma Mines side and expansion of washing lines.
Due to limited space and the presence of the old coaching depot, the plan stalled multiple times. To overcome these hurdles, Indian Railways decided to relocate the existing depot and develop a modern coaching depot along with a state-of-the-art maintenance yard, necessitating a reworking of the project estimate.
Tatanagar to emerge as key South Eastern Railway hub
Railway sources said that if the project receives approval within the current financial year, the tendering process will begin soon. Once completed, facilities for cleaning, repairs, and technical maintenance of Vande Bharat trains will be available directly at Tatanagar.
At present, the lack of adequate maintenance infrastructure is limiting the introduction of new Vande Bharat services from Tatanagar. The proposed yard is expected to pave the way for Vande Bharat train operations on key routes connecting Patna, Varanasi, and Puri.
In addition, the project is likely to improve the punctuality and operations of mail and express trains. This mega railway project is expected to not only enhance the stature of Tatanagar station but also deliver a major boost to rail connectivity across the Kolhan region.
