Indian Railways Targets Doubling of Originating Trains in 48 Major Cities by 2030

Indian Railways has reportedly initiated a capacity review to double the number of trains originating from 48 cities by 2030, as per PTI reports. 

The exercise follows a rise in passenger travel over recent years. In several cities, existing terminals are close to their current handling limits, leading to operational strain during peak periods. 

Expansion of Existing Terminals 

The plan proposes physical expansion at existing terminal stations. This includes construction of additional platforms, stabling lines, and pit lines, along with changes to shunting layouts. These measures are to help more trains begin and end services at busy stations without affecting schedules. 

In areas where expansion within station premises is not possible, new terminals will be developed in nearby urban or suburban locations. These terminals are intended to share the load currently handled by central stations. 

Maintenance Infrastructure 

Maintenance capacity forms a separate part of the programme. Indian Railways plans to develop new maintenance facilities, including large coaching depots, to support an increase in the number of coaches in service.  

These facilities are required to manage inspections, cleaning, and repairs as train frequency increases. 

Sectional and Operational Capacity 

The plan also addresses capacity constraints beyond stations. Rail sections connected to major terminals will be upgraded through traffic facility works, signalling improvements and multitracking where required. Stations located near terminal hubs will be included in planning so that train movement is distributed across multiple points. 

For Pune, stations such as Hadapsar, Khadki and Alandi have been identified alongside capacity additions at Pune junction. Similar station clusters are expected to be considered in other cities. 

Phased Execution 

While the final target year is 2030, capacity addition will be phased over the next five years. Actions will be classified as immediate, short-term or long-term.  

Each zonal railway has been asked to submit city-wise plans detailing works that are already sanctioned, proposed or under planning, with clear timelines. 

The planning exercise covers both suburban and non-suburban services, recognising differences in traffic patterns and operating needs. 

Cities Covered 

The cities included in the programme are Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Patna, Lucknow, Pune, Nagpur, Varanasi, Kanpur, Jaipur, Surat, Vadodara, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guwahati, Coimbatore, Ranchi, Raipur, Bareilly and others, taking the total to 48. 

Read More: Indian Railways Hikes Passenger Train Fares from December 26, 2025! 

Conclusion 

The capacity expansion plan outlines station, network, and maintenance works across multiple cities, with implementation scheduled in stages leading up to 2030. 

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