Mumbai, 27 March 2026

 

Indian Railways continues to strengthen passenger connectivity and undertake large-scale infrastructure modernisation across the country, with focused interventions in Maharashtra, Goa and the Konkan region.

Indian Railways receives proposals, requests and suggestions—both formal and informal—for introduction of new train services, including Amrit Bharat Express services, from Members of Parliament, elected representatives, rail users and other stakeholders at various levels such as the Railway Board, Zonal Railways and Divisional Offices. As this is a continuous and dynamic process, no centralised compendium of such requests is maintained. These proposals are examined from time to time and action is taken as found feasible and justified.

As the railway network spans across regional boundaries, train services are introduced based on overall network requirements. At present, the Pune–Madgaon sector is served by train services including:

• Pune–Ernakulam Poorna Express
• Pune–Ernakulam Express

These services cater to passengers travelling across Maharashtra, Goa and southern regions, while also serving key stations in the Konkan belt.

Introduction of train services on any route or section is an ongoing process and depends on multiple operational factors, including:

• Capacity of the section
• Availability of train paths
• Availability of required rolling stock
• Availability of matching infrastructure
• Maintenance requirements of tracks and other railway assets

As on March 23, 2026, a total of 60 Amrit Bharat Express services are operational across the Indian Railways network. These trains connect major regions of the country, including Maharashtra, Delhi, eastern India, southern states and the North-East, significantly improving long-distance travel options.

Amrit Bharat Express trains are designed to provide affordable, comfortable and modern travel, particularly catering to long-distance passengers, while enhancing connectivity between key economic and cultural centres.

 

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

The Ministry of Railways has launched the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for the redevelopment of railway stations with a long-term and holistic approach.

Under the scheme, detailed master plans are prepared and implemented in phases to transform stations into modern, passenger-friendly hubs. The master planning includes:

• Improvement of station access and circulating areas
• Integration of stations with both sides of the city
• Upgradation of station buildings
• Enhanced waiting halls, toilets, seating arrangements and drinking water facilities
• Provision of wider foot over bridges or air concourses based on passenger traffic
• Installation of lifts, escalators and ramps
• Improvement and covering of platforms
• Provision of kiosks under initiatives like ‘One Station One Product’
• Development of parking areas and multimodal integration
• Improved amenities for Divyangjans
• Advanced passenger information systems
• Provision of executive lounges, business spaces and landscaping

The scheme also emphasises sustainable and environment-friendly solutions, including provision of ballastless tracks wherever required and long-term development of stations as city centres.

Out of 1,338 stations identified across the country under the scheme, 132 stations are located in Maharashtra, covering a wide network of suburban, regional and junction stations across the state. The stations identified in the state include Ahmednagar, Ajni (Nagpur), Akalkot Road, Akola, Akurdi, Amalner, Amgaon, Amravati, Andheri, Badnera, Balharshah, Bandra Terminus, Baramati, Belapur, Bhandara Road, Bhokar, Bhusawal, Borivali, Byculla, Chalisgaon, Chanda Fort, Chandrapur, Charni Road, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Chinchpokli, Chinchwad, Dadar (CR), Dadar (WR), Dahisar, Daund, Dehu Road, Devlali, Dhamangaon, Dharangaon, Dharashiv, Dharmabad, Dhule, Diva, Dudhani, Gangakher, Godhani, Gondia, Grant Road, Hadapsar, Hatkanangale, Hazur Sahib Nanded, Himayatnagar, Hinganghat, Hingoli Deccan, Igatpuri, Jalgaon, Jalna, Jeur, Jogeshwari, Kalyan Junction, Kamptee, Kandivali, Kanjur Marg, Karad, Katol, Kedgaon, Kinwat, Kopargaon, Kurduwadi Junction, Kurla Junction, Lasalgaon, Latur, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Lonand Junction, Lonavala, Lower Parel, Malad, Malkapur, Manmad Junction, Manwath Road, Marine Lines, Matunga, Miraj Junction, Mudkhed Junction, Mumbai Central railway station, Mumbra, Murtizapur Junction, Nagarsol, Nagpur Junction, Nandgaon, Nandura, Nandurbar, Narkher Junction, Nashik Road, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Itwari Junction, Pachora Junction, Palghar, Pandharpur, Panvel Junction, Parbhani Junction, Parel, Parli Vaijnath, Partur, Phaltan, Prabhadevi, Pulgaon Junction, Pune Junction, Purna Junction, Raver, Rotegaon, Sainagar Shirdi, Sandhurst Road, Sangli, Satara, Savda, Selu, Sewagram, Shahad, Shegaon, Shivaji Nagar Pune, Shri Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus Kolhapur, Solapur, Talegaon, Thakurli, Thane, Titvala, Tumsar Road, Umri, Uruli, Vadala Road, Vidyavihar, Vikhroli, Wadsa, Wardha, Washim and Wathar.

 

Completed Stations

Redevelopment works have been completed at 17 stations in Maharashtra, namely:

Amgaon, Baramati, Chanda Fort, Chinchpokli, Devlali, Dhule, Kedgaon, Lasalgaon, Lonand Junction, Matunga, Murtizapur Junction, Nandura, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Itwari Junction, Parel, Savda, Shahad and Vadala Road.

 

Ongoing Works at Key Stations

Development activities at other stations are progressing at a steady pace. Progress at select stations includes:

• Diva: Upgradation of station building, circulating area and parking facilities, new entry gate, platform improvements, platform shelters, toilet block and sewage treatment plant completed; work on new Foot Over Bridge underway
• Mumbra: Platform improvements, seating arrangements, toilet block, booking office and circulating area upgraded; escalator installation in progress
• Palghar: Platform surfacing, shelter works and tactile improvements completed; construction of Foot Over Bridge underway
• Titwala: Station building, entrance gate, ticketing facilities, platform surfacing and approach roads improved; Foot Over Bridge work in progress
• Vikhroli: Station building, platform surfacing, shelter and sanitation facilities upgraded; new booking office, circulating area and parking development underway

To further strengthen connectivity in the Konkan region, key infrastructure works are being undertaken. The Panvel–Roha doubling project (75 km) has been commissioned, leading to enhanced capacity, improved operational efficiency and smoother train movement on this important corridor.

Maharashtra falls under the jurisdiction of Central Railway, Western Railway, South Central Railway and South East Central Railway.

For these zones:

• ₹3,834 crore has been allocated for the financial year 2025–26
• ₹3,886 crore has been expended up to February 2026

Station redevelopment and passenger amenity works, including those under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, are generally funded under Plan Head-53 ‘Customer Amenities’, with allocations maintained zone-wise.

Development, redevelopment, upgradation and modernisation of railway infrastructure remain a continuous and priority-driven process, undertaken based on station category, passenger traffic, operational requirements and availability of funds.

Railway projects are sanctioned after due consideration of multiple factors such as traffic projections, connectivity needs, socio-economic benefits, operational requirements and stakeholder inputs, along with necessary approvals from agencies including NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance.

This information was provided by the Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a reply to questions in Rajya  Sabha.

 

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PIB Mumbai | Edgar Coelho/Darshana Rane

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