Northern Railway Completes Varanasi Yard Remodeling Ahead of Schedule

In a remarkable feat of engineering and project management, the North Railway successfully completed the Varanasi Yard remodeling project well ahead of its designated timeline, bringing forth improved operations and enhanced passenger services.

Shubhan Chaudhuri, the General Manager of North Railway, expressed the railway’s commitment to providing better and safer rail services to passengers. He announced that the long-anticipated Varanasi Yard remodeling project, initially slated for a 70-day completion period, was accomplished in just 45 days from September 1, 2023, to October 15, 2023, thanks to meticulous planning and unwavering dedication.

This extensive project included the installation of a massive 663-route electronic interlocking system, encompassing 283 signals and 214 points in 6 different directions, along with significant modifications to the 158 new turnout yards. The work also involved the construction of approximately 38 kilometers of route interlocking, achieved through relentless efforts and seamless coordination across various North Railway divisions.

The remodeling of Varanasi Yard introduces several key enhancements to the railway infrastructure and passenger facilities:

• Increased length of loops and platforms in Varanasi Yard.
• Improved connectivity between platform lines 1 to 4 with Banaras Station, lines 1 to 5 with Lohata Station, and lines 6 to 9 with Shivpur Station, ensuring smoother arrivals and departures.
• Enhanced connectivity between Varanasi City (BCY) and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction (DDU) via all platforms (1 to 9).
• Addition of two new full-length passenger platforms (10 and 11) and a third entrance gate at Shivpur.
• Construction of a goods bypass line from Shivpur to reduce yard cross-movements.
• Removal of seven diamond crossings within the yard to expedite operations.

Key highlights of the Varanasi Yard remodeling project:

• 663 routes
• 158 new turnouts
• Elimination of 122 turnouts
• Installation of 38 kilometers of new tracks
• Dismantling of 17 kilometers of old tracks
• Installation of 283 new signals
• Complete electrical wiring over 40 track kilometers
• Installation and activation of three 11kV compact power substations
• Reconstruction of eight platforms
• Construction of two new platforms
• Construction of new foot overbridges, including a 10-meter wide third foot overbridge, a 65-meter long foot overbridge with ramps at Level Crossing No. 4, and a 6-meter wide third entrance gate.

The successful completion of the Varanasi Yard remodeling project promises to significantly improve the convenience and safety of railway operations for passengers and cargo services. This project represents a major milestone in North Railway’s continuous efforts to enhance the railway infrastructure and deliver exceptional services to the public.