Western Railway is preparing to operationalize Platforms 9 through 12 at Ahmedabad’s Kalupur Railway Station ahead of the upcoming Diwali festival, following an extended closure linked to station redevelopment and the High-Speed Rail (bullet train) project.
The commissioning of the four platforms is expected to significantly ease passenger congestion and improve train management during the peak festive travel rush. Technical testing—including evaluations of track alignment, Overhead Electrification (OHE) systems, and signaling infrastructure—is currently underway.
Safety Inspection and Statutory Approvals
A formal inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) is scheduled for October 27. Following successful safety verification and mandatory clearances from the safety commissioner, the platforms will be formally opened for train operations.
The reopening forms a critical phase of the broader station redevelopment master plan:
- Platform Upgrades: Platform 9, which was under a operational block, is being cleared for service. Meanwhile, Platforms 10, 11, and 12 have been fully converted from meter gauge to broad gauge infrastructure.
- Timeline Adjustments: The project previously missed completion targets in April and August due to technical delays, leading authorities to set a firm deadline prior to the Diwali holidays.
Phased Redevelopment Plan
The activation of Platforms 9 to 12 will enable railway authorities to reshuffle train movements and begin the next phase of the overhaul.
Once the four platforms become fully operational, Western Railway will implement fresh operational blocks on Platforms 4 through 7 to execute primary civil works and structural redevelopment on those tracks. This phased block strategy ensures uninterrupted train operations while large-scale modernization work continues at the junction.