Central Railway has cleared 45 encroachments in Mumbai’s Wadi Bunder area, paving the way for faster execution of a proposed maintenance depot for Vande Bharat trains. The action was carried out after obtaining necessary court approvals, with officials confirming that due legal procedures were followed and the process was coordinated with local authorities to minimise disruption.
The removed structures were located near B D Chawl, close to Hancock Bridge, and included a mix of temporary units as well as a two-storey building that had existed on railway land for several years. According to officials, these encroachments had been a significant obstacle to the project, as the land forms part of a designated railway operations zone.
With the site now cleared, additional space has been freed up within the Wadi Bunder yard, which has been identified as a key location for maintaining Vande Bharat trainsets. Although preliminary work had begun earlier, progress was slow due to these obstructions. The latest development is expected to help speed up construction activities and streamline project execution.
Under the current plan, the depot will include at least five stabling lines where Vande Bharat trains can be stationed, inspected, cleaned, and serviced. Such facilities are essential to support routine maintenance and technical checks required for smooth operations. Officials noted that the growing number of semi-high-speed trains operating to and from Mumbai has increased the need for dedicated infrastructure.
The Wadi Bunder yard has historically supported railway functions, and its upgrade into a modern maintenance hub aligns with Indian Railways’ broader push to enhance infrastructure for next-generation train systems. In recent years, the focus has shifted towards developing specialised depots instead of relying solely on older facilities not designed for advanced trainsets.
Officials also emphasised that timely removal of encroachments remains crucial in a space-constrained city like Mumbai, where infrastructure projects often face delays. Clearing the site is expected to eliminate a major bottleneck and enable more structured and efficient progress on the ground.
Source: Prop News Time
