Western Railway Expands Bandra Terminus with 3 New Pit Lines
Western Railway has announced plans to construct three new pit lines at Bandra Terminus. This expansion is expected to not only enhance the maintenance capabilities of traditional trains but also facilitate the upkeep of the state-of-the-art Vande Bharat trains in the future. According to officials, the new pit lines are designed with provisions to be upgraded for the maintenance of Vande Bharat trains. Currently, Mumbai Central holds the sole maintenance facility for these high-tech trains within the Western Railway division.
However, with the addition of the new pit lines at Bandra Terminus, the station’s operational capacity will be significantly boosted, allowing it to service more trains each day. Bandra Terminus currently handles an average of 23 trains daily, with only three functional pit lines servicing nine of those trains. The remaining trains are serviced on the platform. With the introduction of the three additional pit lines, the terminus will double its train-handling capacity. By May 2025, once the new pit lines are fully operational, the station will be able to accommodate and maintain up to nine more trains per day.
The phased construction of these pit lines is set to be completed over the next few months: one line in February 2025, a second in March, and the third by May 2025. Once operational, the total train-handling capacity at Bandra Terminus will rise to 32 trains daily, with the ability to fully maintain 18 trains each day. This expansion is part of Western Railway’s broader strategy to decongest Mumbai Central’s maintenance facility, thereby improving the efficiency of resources and ensuring quicker turnaround times for trains.
Officials have emphasised that the addition of these pit lines will not only increase the operational efficiency at Bandra Terminus but will also enhance overall service quality for passengers. The expansion will be a key element in improving Western Railway’s infrastructure, with particular focus on accommodating the growing fleet of Vande Bharat trains and reducing the pressure on Mumbai Central’s existing maintenance resources. As one of the city’s major railway terminals, Bandra Terminus serves as a vital hub for trains heading to the northwest and central regions of the country, including destinations like Uttar Pradesh. The addition of these new pit lines will further strengthen the station’s position as a critical part of Mumbai’s extensive railway network, providing faster and more reliable services to commuters.
