Nagpur: Vinayak Garg, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Central Railway Nagpur Division, addressed a press conference on Wednesday January 8, highlighting the division's remarkable achievements in 2024 and unveiling ambitious plans for the future.
The press conference was attended by senior railway officials, including P.S. Khaikar, Additional Divisional Railway Manager (Admin), Rupresh Chandekar, Additional Divisional Railway Manager (Technical), Pawan Patil, Chief Project Manager, RLDA, Dr. G.S. Manjunath, Chief Medical Superintendent, Mrs. Sanjhi Jain, Senior Divisional Personnel Officer, and other key officials.
Key Highlights from 2024:
Garg began by emphasizing the division's success in managing Festival Special Trains, which catered to the high demand during major events like Kumbh, Mahaparinirvan Din, Diwali, and others. This initiative enabled seamless travel for lakhs of passengers during peak periods, easing the rush on the railways.
A major milestone for the division was the inauguration of the Nagpur-Secunderabad Vande Bharat Express, which revolutionized regional rail travel by providing high-speed services and enhanced comfort, significantly elevating the passenger experience.
The division has also made notable strides in infrastructure development and passenger amenities. The newly constructed Riddhapur Railway Station was successfully operationalized with modern amenities, providing improved facilities to travelers. At Nagpur Station, the introduction of the "Margdarshak" way-finder system helped passengers navigate the station with ease, using digital maps and 3D walkthroughs. Additionally, the implementation of a QR code-based management system across booking counters ensured real-time vendor verification and achieved 100% adoption of QR code-based payments, which boosted operational efficiency and enhanced passenger convenience.
In terms of enhancing passenger amenities, the division undertook the renovation of waiting lounges at major stations to provide a more comfortable and pleasant experience. Another significant development was the launch of a state-of-the-art Haldiram’s Food Plaza at Nagpur Station, expected to generate ₹1 crore in non-fare revenue annually. Furthermore, Emergency Medical Rooms (EMRs) were established at Nagpur and Balharshah stations, with plans to extend these facilities to Amla and Betul stations in the near future.
Earlier in the press conference, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Aman Mittal presented a comprehensive overview of the work completed in the Nagpur Division during the past year. He provided detailed insights into key reforms, development works, and various initiatives taken to improve passenger amenities.
Mittal emphasized, "Our goal is to make Nagpur Division a model railway division, where passenger amenities are given the highest priority, ensuring a better travel experience for all." His remarks underscored the division's ongoing commitment to enhancing services for passengers. Garg also elaborated on significant infrastructure projects that are currently underway.
The ₹488 crore redevelopment project for Nagpur Station will feature multimodal integration, solar energy systems, and infrastructure designed to be more accessible for people with disabilities. This major redevelopment is set to be completed by December 2025. Similarly, the ₹298 crore redevelopment of Ajni Station is expected to be completed by May 2026 and will include eco-friendly features and iconic station buildings that will transform the station into a modern transport hub.
As part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 15 stations, including Balharshah, Chandrapur, and Betul, will undergo significant upgrades. These stations will receive new foot over bridges, upgraded waiting halls, and improved parking facilities to better serve passengers.
Garg reaffirmed the division's unwavering commitment to enhancing passenger convenience, safety, and operational efficiency. He highlighted the division's focus on modernizing infrastructure, integrating innovative technologies, and improving accessibility and safety for all railway travelers.
He concluded by stating, “Central Railway Nagpur Division continues to set benchmarks in operational excellence and remains a key contributor to India’s railway network.”
The division is dedicated to driving innovation and ensuring that railway travel becomes even more accessible, comfortable, and efficient for passengers in the years ahead.
