₹195-Crore Vande Bharat Maintenance Hub & Training Center to Transform Jodhpur into India’s High-Speed Rail Backbone

Ananya soch: A media delegation organized by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Chandigarh is currently on a week-long visit to Rajasthan from March 8 to March 14, 2026, aimed at showcasing the progress of major development projects initiated by the Central Government. The delegation, comprising journalists from Haryana, Punjab, and Chandigarh, is visiting key districts including Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Jaipur to witness development initiatives and best practices across various departments.

During their visit to Jodhpur, the media team reviewed the ongoing work on the Vande Bharat Sleeper Coach Maintenance Depot being developed at Bhagat Ki Kothi Railway Station under the North Western Railway zone. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has approved a major expansion project worth ₹195 crore, paving the way for an ultra-modern multipurpose workshop and a world-class training center.

Divisional Railway Manager Anurag Tripathi informed that the project will not only expand the maintenance infrastructure for Vande Bharat sleeper trains but also establish a specialized training facility for engineers, loco pilots, and technical staff. The center will provide advanced training in the maintenance and operation of high-speed and semi high-speed trains using modern technology.

Construction of the maintenance depot near the Bhagat Ki Kothi washing line is progressing rapidly with an investment of around ₹167 crore. The second phase will include the construction of a residential training center using pre-fabricated iron structures, ensuring faster completion and improved temperature control.

The project also includes a 32 KV Grid Sub Station (GSS) for uninterrupted power supply, expansion of maintenance facilities, modern service buildings, inspection sheds, and advanced pit lines equipped with overhead electrification (OHE).

The foundation stone of the maintenance depot was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 16, 2024. Once operational, the depot will serve as the primary hub for the maintenance of Vande Bharat sleeper trains and strengthen India’s high-speed rail ecosystem.

This development is expected to enhance rail safety, improve operational efficiency, generate employment, and provide passengers with smoother, faster, and more comfortable journeys.