Land Finalized for Vande Bharat Maintenance Hub in Tiruchi

Swift Summary

• Railway Land allocation: About 30 acres of railway land near Manjathidal railway station, Tiruchi, has been earmarked for a new facility dedicated to maintaining Vande Bharat Express trains.
• Golden Rock Workshop Nomination: the Golden Rock Railway Workshop in Tiruchi was nominated two months ago by the Railway Board to undertake major maintenance tasks (SS-I shop schedule) for Vande Bharat train sets instead of perambur Workshop in Chennai.
• Project Scale: The proposed facility is part of a ₹300-crore project. Authorities mentioned that additional railway land might be used if required.
• Estimate preparation: An abstract estimate for machinery, civil works, and electrical arrangements has been prepared and will undergo review by Southern Railway.
• Personnel Training: Technical personnel were sent to other railway workshops around India to gain firsthand experience on maintaining Vande Bharat coaches before establishing the Tiruchi facility.
• Golden Rock Historical Operations: Built during British rule,the workshop presently handles various operations such as diesel locomotive overhaul,passenger coach manufacturing/overhaul,wagon production,and steam locomotive restoration for Nilgiri Mountain Railways.
• Vande Bharat Features: These high-speed trains (up to 160 kmph) incorporate advanced safety systems like Kavach.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The decision by the Railway Board to establish a dedicated maintenance hub for Vande Bharat Express trains at Tiruchi marks an important milestone in improving India’s rail infrastructure.By centralizing major maintenance tasks at the Golden Rock Railway Workshop-a site with historic meaning and proven competency-the project could ensure smoother operations and extended lifespan for these advanced train sets. Additionally, personnel training across multiple rail facilities demonstrates foresight in optimizing technical expertise.This ₹300-crore investment aligns with India’s push toward faster and safer rail travel through initiatives like Kavach safety technologies embedded within Vande Bharat coaches.However, careful project execution-such as Southern Railway’s review process-will be pivotal in delivering expected outcomes while ensuring long-term cost efficiency.

Read more: Link