Jamalpur Railway Workshop Set for Overhaul Boost as Minister Flags Expansion
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday launched a project to expand wagon periodical overhauling (POH) capacity at the historic Jamalpur railway workshop in Bihar’s Munger district.
The move is expected to increase operational efficiency for Indian Railways and contribute to regional industrial development. Vaishnaw, accompanied by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh ‘Lalan’ and Bihar Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, underscored the Centre’s commitment to technological self-reliance in rail operations. Addressing a gathering at the Indian Railways Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (IRIMEE), he highlighted the institute’s role in training India’s future railway officers. Established in 1862, the Jamalpur workshop holds the distinction of being India’s first full-fledged railway workshop. It has since remained a vital cog in the country’s railway engineering and maintenance machinery. The new POH enhancement is designed to handle a higher volume of wagon overhauls annually, thereby reducing turnaround time and improving freight mobility.
Officials said the project aligns with the NDA government’s vision to integrate modern technology in traditional hubs, reviving legacy infrastructure while catering to contemporary logistical demands. Vaishnaw said the expansion would open doors to regional employment and skill development, creating new opportunities for youth in Bihar. The emphasis on increasing local capacity and building self-reliant technologies is also expected to reduce dependency on external supply chains and streamline rail operations nationally. This upgrade, officials said, marks a step toward achieving a more efficient and responsive railway system, aligned with India’s broader infrastructural goals.
The Jamalpur workshop expansion reflects the government’s dual focus on heritage preservation and forward-looking rail innovation, positioning the Eastern zone as a key player in Indian Railways’ evolving blueprint.
