Executive Summary:
In preparation for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Nashik in 2027, the Ministry of Railways outlines planned infrastructure upgrades for Nashik and nearby railway stations. These upgrades include station improvements, additional platforms, and enhanced connectivity. Surveys have been sanctioned to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for new railway lines.
Key Points / Main Content:
Station Upgrades and Amenities:
* Nashik: Development includes station building on the east side, a 12m wide road, roof plaza, a 6m wide foot over bridge, goods shed area development for parking, stabling lines, yard remodeling, a Mela tower control center, toilets, overhead and underground water tanks, platform upgradation, and circulating area improvements.
* Devlali: Construction of 2 additional platforms with amenities, 2 foot over bridges, loop line extensions, 2 pit lines, 2 sick lines, 3 stabling lines, platform shelters, circulating area improvements, parking area, toilets, lifts, signages, entrance gate/porch, boundary wall, improved lighting, and new water tanks.
* Odha: Construction of 2 foot over bridges, toilets, platform shelters, overhead and underground water tanks, additional loop lines, and 5 stabling lines/2 long loop lines.
* Kherwadi: Extension of existing platforms, 2 new full-length platforms, 2 foot over bridges, toilets, 2 new high-level platforms, platform raising, and water tanks.
* Kasbe Sukene: Extension of existing platform, 2 foot over bridges, toilets, platform extension, platform shelters, and water tanks.
Capacity Enhancement Works:
* Signalling: Automatic Signalling on Manmad-Jalgaon (160 km) and Bhusawal-Badnera-Wardha-Nagpur (393 km) sections.
* Line Expansion: Manmad-Jalgaon 3rd line (160 km), Kalyan-Asangaon 3rd/4th Line (32 km), Asangaon-Kasara 3rd Line (35 km), Jalgaon-Manmad 4th Line (160 km).
* Other Projects: Manmad yard remodeling, Rail over Rail Flyover at Manmad (11 km), Bhusawal Yard Remodeling, Nardana-Dhule New Line (51 km), Puntamba-Sainagar Shirdi Doubling (17 km), Daund-Manmad doubling (247 km), Pune Coaching Terminus Expansion, Hadapsar Khadki Satellite Terminal, and Shirdi Coaching Yard Remodeling.
Connectivity Improvement Surveys:
* New Lines: Surveys sanctioned for Nashik-Shirdi (95 km) and Nashik-Trimbkeshwar-Dahanu Road (100 km) new lines.
* Additional Lines: Surveys sanctioned for Kasara-Asangaon 4th Line (35 km), Manmad-Asangaon 3rd/4th Line (131 km), and Bhusawal-Wardha 3rd/4th Line (314 km).
Road Infrastructure:
* 18 ROBs/RUBs sanctioned in Nashik district at a cost of Rs. 393 Crore, in various stages of planning and execution.
Train Services:
* Nasik Road is served by 138 train services, and Devlali by 14. 17 special trains currently operate. Additional short and long-distance special trains are planned during Simhastha Kumbh.
Impact Analysis:
Passengers:
* Impact: Improved amenities, increased train frequency, better connectivity to major cities, and reduced congestion during the Kumbh Mela.
* Action Required: Stay informed about new train schedules and infrastructure developments.
Railway Authorities:
* Impact: Manage and execute infrastructure development projects, coordinate train services, and ensure passenger safety and convenience.
* Action Required: Implement planned upgrades and expansions according to schedule and budget, and effectively manage train operations during the Kumbh Mela.
Local Community:
* Impact: Economic benefits from increased tourism, improved transportation infrastructure, and potential job creation.
* Action Required: Support infrastructure projects and adapt to changes in transportation patterns.
Government of Maharashtra:
* Impact: Support the railway infrastructure development projects and coordinate with railway authorities.
* Action Required: Ensure effective coordination between state and central government agencies for the successful execution of the Kumbh Mela.
Key Entities Referenced
Sinhastha Kumbh Mela, 2027: A religious event scheduled to be held in Nashik in 2027, requiring upgrades to railway infrastructure to handle pilgrim traffic.
Nashik: A city in Maharashtra, India, where the Sinhastha Kumbh Mela will be held and a major focus of railway infrastructure upgrades.
Devlali: A railway station near Nashik, Maharashtra, that will undergo upgrades to accommodate the anticipated pilgrim rush for the Kumbh Mela.
Manmad: A railway junction in Maharashtra, India, that is part of several railway line upgrade projects to improve connectivity to Nashik.
Jalgaon: A city in Maharashtra, India, connected to Manmad by railway lines undergoing upgrades to enhance connectivity to Nashik.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, responsible for overseeing the railway infrastructure upgrades for the Kumbh Mela.
Nashik Shirdi New Line: A proposed new railway line (95 km) to improve rail connectivity to Nashik. Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being prepared.
ROBs/RUBs in Nashik district: 18 Railway Over Bridges (ROBs) / Railway Under Bridges (RUBs) sanctioned in Nashik district to improve the mobility of road users.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION No. 253
TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025
UPGRADATION OF RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SINHASTHA
KUMBH MELA, 2027
*253. SHRI RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to upgrade the major railway
infrastructure as Nashik (NK) will organise the Sinhastha Kumbh
Mela in 2027;
(b) whether any specific budget allocation/project plans have been
made/prepared for Nashik and nearby railway stations to handle
the anticipated pilgrim rush and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of projects planned for station upgrades, additional
platforms, foot over bridges, and passenger amenities at Nashik
and nearby stations; and
(d) whether the government will ensure that Nashik gets enhanced
connectivity and related infrastructure whereby trains can
originate and terminate at NK or DVL stations and if so, the details
thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 253 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025.
(a) to (d): For successfully organising Simhastha Kumbh Mela, 2027
scheduled to be held in Nashik, following developmental works are
planned at Nashik and nearby stations:
SN Station Works planned
1 Nashik Station building on the east side
Road
12 m wide roof plaza, 6 m wide foot over bridge
Development of Goods shed area for
Parking/Holding/Waiting areas Provision of 2 stabling
lines, Yard remodeling works
Mela tower control center, toilets,
Provision of RCC overhead tank, underground tank,
Platform upgradation, improvement to circulating area.
2 Devlali 2 Additional platforms with all amenities
2 foot over bridges
Extension of loop lines.
Provision of 2 pit lines, 2 sick lines & 3 stabling lines.
Additional platform shelters, improvement of
circulating area, parking area, toilets, provision of lifts,
standard signages, entrance gate, entrance porch,
boundary wall and improved lighting, new RCC
overhead tank, underground tank toilets.
..P/2-:2:-
3 Odha 2 nos. 6m wide foot over bridge, toilets, provision of
platform shelters, provision of RCC over head tank,
underground tank.
Additional loop lines, 5 stabling lines, 2 long loop lines.
4 Kherwadi Extension of existing Platforms to full length Platforms.
2 new full-length platforms.
2 nos. 6m wide foot over bridge, toilets, provision of 2
nos. new high-level platforms, extension and raising of
platform to high level, provision of RCC overhead tank,
underground tank.
5 Kasbe- Extension of existing platform to full length platform.
Sukene
2 nos. 6 m wide foot over bridge, toilets, extension of
existing platform, provision of platform shelters,
provision of RCC overhead tank, underground tank.
To increase the capacity of the railway network to Nashik area, the
following works have been taken up so that more trains can be operated
during Simhastha Kumbh:
SN Name of work
1 Manmad- Jalgaon Automatic Signalling (160 km)
2 Manmad- Jalgaon 3rd Line (160 km) and Manmad yard remodeling
3 Rail over Rail Flyover at Manmad (11 km)
4 Bhusawal Yard Remodeling
5 Bhusawal-Badnera- Wardha- Nagpur Automatic Signalling (393 km)
6 Nardana- Dhule New Line (51 km)
..P/3-:3:-
7 Kalyan- Asangaon 3rd& 4th Line (32 km)
8 Asangaon- Kasara 3rd Line (35 km)
9 Jalgaon- Manmad 4th Line (160 km)
10 Puntamba – Sainagar Shirdi Doubling (17 km)
11 Daund- Manmad doubling (247 km)
12 Pune Coaching Terminus Expansion
13 Hadapsar & Khadki Satellite Terminal
14 Shirdi Coaching Yard Remodeling
Further, to improve the Rail connectivity to Nashik, following surveys
have been sanctioned to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR):-
1. Nashik – Shirdi New Line (95 km)
2. Nashik –Trimbkeshwar-Dahanu Road New Line (100 km)
3. Kasara – Asangaon 4th Line (35 km)
4. Manmad- Asangaon 3rd& 4th Line (131 km)
5. Bhusawal- Wardha 3rd& 4th Line (314 km)
To improve the mobility of road users, 18 Nos. ROBs/RUBs are
sanctioned at the cost of Rs. 393 Crore in Nashik district, which are at
various stages of planning and execution.
At present, Nasik Road is served by 138 train services while Devlali is
served by 14 train services. These are providing connectivity to major
cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Secunderabad, Patna, Kolkata etc.
Further, 17 special trains are also being operated which are catering to
the needs of passengers of Nasik Road. In addition, short distance and
long distance special trains are also planned during Simhastha Kumbha.
*****