Vande Bharat Express maintenance depot in Pune soon
In a significant development for rail infrastructure, plans are underway to construct a coach maintenance depot in Ghorpadi, Pune railway division. This has been initiated to upkeep and repair the rakes of the prestigious Vande Bharat Express.
The tender process for this project will soon start. It is moreover expected that the construction will span at least one year. Recently, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated various railway projects, including the initiation of the tender process construction department. The depot’s construction is estimated to cost around Rs 89 crore.
This depot will mark the second of its kind under Central Railway’s jurisdiction, catering to the maintenance and repair needs of three Vande Bharat rakes. Upon completion, it will be an important hub for enhancing railway services in Pune City.
According to Indu Dubey, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Pune, “Vande Bharat is likely to start on two routes, Pune-Secunderabad and Pune-Baroda but no such decision has been taken yet by the railway board. And the Vande Bharat won’t start In the next four to five months as the Vande Bharat must have a coach depot whose tender process will start soon.”
Currently, Solapur-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express operates from Pune station, with maintenance conducted at Wadi Bandar. However, the absence of a dedicated depot in Pune emphasizes the urgency of this project. Moreover, the unique design of Vande Bharat coaches necessitates special accommodations, including the construction of a covered pit line for additional safety.
Upon the completion of the depot, Pune will witness the launch of Vande Bharat services along with better connectivity and convenience for the commuters.
