Bilaspur.
Very soon, passengers will have to go to Uslapur station to travel in trains running on Katni railway section including Bilaspur-Indore Narmada Express, Bilaspur-Rewa Express, Bilaspur-Bhopal Express. Railway administration is also preparing its proposal. However, this has not been officially confirmed yet by the Railways. But, its murmurings have started in Bilaspur Railway Division.
Uslapur is the second major railway station in the city. This station is also being developed under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. More than half the work has been done. The remaining work will be completed soon. At the same time, Bilaspur station is also being rejuvenated. Railways is preparing to make this station world class by spending Rs 435 crore. Under this scheme, a new model of zonal station has also been made. If we look at this model, a new line will be laid in front of the old building. It will connect to the old line.
It is necessary to stop the movement of trains for line expansion
Line expansion is possible only when train operations on old lines remain closed. Railways is also preparing for this. The zonal station has three platforms, six, seven and eight, where trains of Katni railway section leave. Apart from Narmada, Rewa, Bhopal Express, these trains include trains like Bilaspur-Shahdol, Bilaspur-Chirmiri Passenger. Line expansion work is not possible without shifting the operation of these trains to Uslapur station. That’s why Railways is emphasizing on this. These trains are expected to operate from this station in barely three to four months. Railways believes that unless more and more trains stop or start operating, the stature of that station will not increase. Under this, last year the stoppage of trains coming from Raipur has been made at Uslapur. Under the new system, trains reach Uslapur directly from Dadhapara. This has also eliminated the hassle of changing the engine.
There will be less pressure on Bilaspur railway station
Due to stoppage of more trains at Bilaspur railway station, there is pressure of trains at some zonal stations. Due to this pressure, trains have to be stopped at outer points also. Many times Mail, Azad Hind Express has been stopped at Dadhapara Railway Yard. However, this situation occurs only due to lack of space on the platform in the zonal station. If these trains of Katni Railway are dispatched from Uslapur station and on return end the operations at this station, then the pressure in the zonal station will be reduced to a great extent.
Currently 17 trains are being halted at Uslapur.
Currently 17 trains have stoppage at Uslapur railway station. Of these, there are eight regular trains. Other trains are weekly. With the commencement of operation of these trains, the number of trains will increase. This will also increase passengers. Keeping this in view, the railway administration is expanding the facilities.
