North Western Railway’s Rs 128 cr project turns Jaisalmer into an emerging technical hub, paves way for more trains

JAISALMER: North Western Railway has developed Jaisalmer Railway Station into a modern rail maintenance hub, which will enhance train maintenance and operational capacity.The Gati Shakti Unit of the Jodhpur Railway Division has successfully completed an ambitious and much-needed project worth ₹128.25 crore at the station.

Under this project, works related to a trip shed, coaching maintenance facilities, and an advanced wheel lathe line have been completed, marking a significant achievement.A total of 4.8 track kilometers (TKM) of new track has been laid, increasing the effective track length to 8.2 TKM.According to Chief Public Relations Officer Amit Sudarshan, under the guidance of General Manager Amitabh, major progress has been achieved in expanding maintenance facilities at Jaisalmer station.

The trip shed, coaching maintenance facilities, wheel lathe line, and signaling works have been successfully commissioned with non-interlocking (NI).With the completion of the coaching maintenance depot, local rail infrastructure will be strengthened, enabling the operation of more trains in the region.He further stated that the expansion of coaching maintenance facilities was approved at a total cost of ₹128.25 crore, which includes the wheel lathe line, electric loco trip shed, and other associated works.

Extensive track and civil works have been carried out under the project, including the laying of 4.8 TKM of track, bringing the total to 8.2 TKM. Additionally, 16 new turnouts have been installed and 650 AT welding works have been completed.For infrastructure expansion, a large main shed of 2,400 square meters and auxiliary buildings covering 1,600 square meters have been constructed for technical and administrative purposes.Under Traction Distribution (TRD), the entire electrical distribution system has been successfully implemented, along with the provision of a new tower wagon siding. Significant progress has also been made in Signal & Telecommunication (S&T) works, with signaling completed under non-interlocking conditions. As a result, the number of routes at the station has increased from 56 to 108, and one level crossing has been eliminated.Divisional Railway Manager Anurag Tripathi stated that with the commissioning of these modern facilities, the capacity for coach maintenance in Jaisalmer will increase significantly, opening up possibilities for introducing new trains.The new pit line will ensure high-quality primary maintenance of coaches and undercarriage safety inspections, while the trip shed will facilitate locomotive maintenance.He added that these maintenance works will not only reduce turnaround time but also increase holding capacity and elevate the safety and reliability of rail operations. This project marks a major step towards modernization of railway infrastructure in the region and is considered a milestone for the operational and maintenance network of North Western Railway.Congratulating the Gati Shakti Unit on this achievement, he said that the project establishes Jaisalmer not just as a station but as an emerging rail technical hub.It is expected to boost new rail services, improve connectivity, and enhance passenger as well as freight transport capacity in the future.He also highlighted that the upgradation of yard and maintenance facilities will make operations safer, faster, and more efficient, thereby strengthening the overall capacity of the railway network.