Six New Platforms, Additional Railway Lines and Smart Passenger Facilities to Transform One of India’s Busiest Railway Hubs

Indian Railways has approved a ₹299 crore remodelling project for the Visakhapatnam Coaching Yard under the South Coast Railway, marking a significant infrastructure upgrade aimed at improving passenger handling capacity, operational efficiency and station amenities.

The comprehensive project will add six new platforms, six additional railway lines, modern signalling infrastructure and enhanced passenger facilities, enabling Visakhapatnam Railway Station, which handles around 80,000 passengers and 113 trains daily, to meet rising travel demand while improving punctuality and reducing congestion.

Key Highlights

• ₹299 crore sanctioned for Visakhapatnam Coaching Yard remodelling.
• Six new platforms to be constructed with modern passenger amenities.
• Six additional railway lines to enhance operational capacity.
• Existing six platforms to be widened for improved passenger movement.
• Electronic Interlocking (EI) to modernise train operations.
• New east-side station entrance and relocation of the Passenger Reservation System (PRS).
• Surface parking and improved circulating area to enhance passenger access.
• Ramps, lifts and escalators planned to improve accessibility.
• Project aims to reduce train detention and improve punctuality.

Major Capacity Expansion for a Busy Rail Terminal

Visakhapatnam Railway Station is one of India’s busiest coaching terminals, serving approximately 80,000 passengers every day while handling 113 trains daily.

The current yard configuration requires both terminating and through trains to negotiate multiple surface crossings, resulting in:

• Congestion within the coaching yard.
• Delays at approach signals.
• Reduced platform availability.
• Operational bottlenecks.

The approved remodelling project aims to address these challenges by reorganising the yard layout and expanding infrastructure to enable smoother train movements.

Passenger-Centric Infrastructure Upgrades

The redevelopment project includes a comprehensive package of infrastructure improvements:

Capacity Enhancements

• Construction of 6 new platforms.
• Addition of 6 new railway lines.
• Widening of the existing 6 platforms.
• Reorganisation of yard point zones.

Modern Passenger Facilities

• Ramps for easier access.
• Lifts and escalators.
• Enhanced passenger circulation.
• Improved waiting and boarding areas.

Station Access Improvements

• Development of a new eastern station entrance.
• Relocation of the Passenger Reservation System (PRS).
• Surface parking facilities.
• Redesigned circulating area for smoother traffic movement.

Operational Modernisation

The project also includes installation of Electronic Interlocking (EI), enabling safer, faster and more efficient train operations while improving platform utilisation.

Operational Benefits

The remodelling is expected to deliver several operational improvements, including:

• Reduced congestion within the coaching yard.
• Lower train detention at approach signals.
• Increased platform availability.
• Improved train punctuality.
• Better utilisation of station infrastructure.
• Capacity to accommodate future passenger growth.

The upgraded yard will allow Visakhapatnam Railway Station to handle additional train services while improving overall passenger experience.

Hospitality, Travel & Tourism Impact

The project is expected to provide a significant boost to tourism and hospitality across Visakhapatnam and the Andhra Pradesh coast.

Improved Gateway for Tourism

As a major rail hub, Visakhapatnam serves as the gateway to destinations such as Araku Valley, Borra Caves, Yarada Beach, RK Beach, and the region’s growing cruise and coastal tourism offerings. Better station infrastructure can improve first impressions and visitor convenience.

Higher Hotel Demand

Enhanced station capacity and smoother train operations are likely to support increased tourist arrivals, benefiting hotels, resorts, serviced apartments and homestays across the city.

Boost for Food & Beverage

Higher passenger footfall can generate greater demand for railway food courts, cafés, restaurants and local culinary businesses around the station precinct.

Support for Business & MICE Travel

Improved rail connectivity and passenger facilities strengthen Visakhapatnam’s position as a growing destination for corporate travel, industrial visits, conventions and meetings, supporting the city’s expanding hospitality ecosystem.

Why It Matters

The ₹299 crore Visakhapatnam Coaching Yard remodelling is more than a railway infrastructure upgrade—it is an investment in the city’s future as a major transportation, tourism and business hub. By expanding platform capacity, modernising operations and enhancing passenger amenities, Indian Railways is preparing the station to accommodate rising travel demand while improving service quality.

For the hospitality, travel and tourism industry, the project promises better connectivity, higher visitor volumes and stronger economic opportunities, reinforcing Visakhapatnam’s role as one of India’s leading coastal tourism and commercial destinations.