Thakur Bhupendra Singh
Railway’s infrastructure is rapidly changing in Gujarat’s Kutch. A high tech loco shed is being constructed and transformation of Bhuj station will give a new speed to goods and passenger rail services. These projects are not only giving a boost to a network for goods but are also going to give impetus to the economy and employment.
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Gandhidham’s high tech loco shed
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The new diesel loco shed near Gandhidham is considered among the most modern facilities of Indian Railways. This shed is being used for the service and maintenance of powerful diesel-electric engines manufactured by GE/Wabtec, such as the WDG-4G class locomotives. The capacity of these engines ranging from 4,500 to 6,000 horsepower and carry heavy freight trains carrying coal, cement, grain, fertilizers, and iron to ports and freight corridors.
In this loco shed, a servicing facility has been developed for nearly 250 Wabtech engines, and a long-term agreement has been signed between the Indian Railways and companies. It includes overhauling, spare parts storage, remote monitoring, and parts supply. This is expected to reduce locomotive failures on the dedicated freight corridor and improve the reliability of freight train operations.
Apart from this, the 24×7 working technical and support staff have increased employment opportunities in the Gandhidham–Kutch region.
Grand New Look of Bhuj Station
Bhuj Railway Station, which is considered as the gateway to Kutch, is all set for a complete overhaul under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The project, under Western Railway’s Ahmedabad division, is estimated to cost around Rs 200 crore and is nearly 75% complete. The transformation can be seen in the form of a new station building, modern waiting areas, a concourse, and foot overbridge. The transformation aims to offer passengers airport-like facilities
After the Bhuj-Naliya meter-gauge line completion into broad gauge, a new 28.88-km broad-gauge line is being laid from Naliya to Jakhau Port, which will connect the remote regions of Kutch to the national railway network.
Under this project, the authorities have proposed 13 new stations which will directly benefit nearly 16 lakh people and improve mobility and connectivity for small towns in the region.
Freight Transport and Port Connectivity
The role of the railways in the industrial development of the Kutch region is rapidly growing. Between April and October 2025, the Gandhidham region registered transportation of approximately 1.727 million metric tonnes of industrial salt and 10.586 million metric tonnes of container cargo, indicating its rapid emergence as a major industrial and logistics hub.
The powerful freight locomotives set up at Gandhidham’s high-tech loco shed are making cargo movement to major ports like Kandla and Mundra easier and swift.
Meanwhile, Bhuj’s new form of station will provide good connectivity and upgraded facilities for trade, tourism, and local passengers. According to railway official Ved Prakash (DRM, Western Railway), both these projects are strategically important for Western Railway, as they will boost the reliability of the freight corridor and give new direction to the overall development of Kutch.