The Indian Railways has announced a major infrastructure investment of ₹1,200 crore in and around the Nashik region, aimed at strengthening railway facilities ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela and creating long-term opportunities for improved rail connectivity. The development work will cover five key railway stations in the region and is expected to significantly enhance passenger handling capacity, safety, and operational efficiency.
According to railway officials, the stations identified for upgrades include Devlali, Nashik Road, Odha, Kasbe-Sukene, and Kherwadi in the Niphad area. These stations play a crucial role in connecting Nashik with major routes from Mumbai, Bhusawal, and other parts of the country. The investment is being made to ensure that the railway network can handle the large influx of pilgrims expected during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, while also leaving behind permanent assets that will benefit regular passengers in the years ahead.
Divisional Railway Manager Punit Agrawal stated that the infrastructure development will involve a combination of permanent and temporary works. The permanent upgrades include the construction of new foot overbridges, extension and widening of platforms, installation of automatic signalling systems, addition of loop lines to increase track capacity, and the development of new pitlines. Existing station layouts are also being remodelled to improve train movement and reduce congestion during peak hours.
Railway officials have emphasised that automation and modern signalling systems will play a key role in improving safety and operational reliability. By reducing dependence on manual systems, the upgraded infrastructure is expected to allow smoother train operations and better management of increased traffic during major events like the Kumbh Mela.
Special operational plans are also being prepared to manage the movement of pilgrims during the religious event. Trains arriving from the Bhusawal side will be terminated at Odha, Kasbe-Sukene, and Kherwadi stations, while trains coming from the Mumbai side will terminate at Devlali station. From these stations, pilgrims will be transferred through state-arranged transport to Nashik city and Trimbakeshwar for the Amrit Snan rituals.
To ensure crowd control and passenger safety, designated holding areas will be created outside the railway stations. Pilgrims returning after the rituals will be accommodated in these holding areas before being allowed to enter station premises for boarding trains. This approach is intended to prevent overcrowding on platforms and ensure orderly movement within station limits.
Railway officials have clarified that while the infrastructure expansion is being accelerated to meet the demands of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, most of the facilities being created will remain in use after the event. The improved station layouts and increased track capacity are expected to help introduce additional train services in the future and enhance connectivity between Nashik Road and major cities across India.
The investment is also expected to support economic activity in the region by improving freight movement and reducing operational bottlenecks. Better railway infrastructure can help attract new opportunities for trade, tourism, and regional development, particularly as Nashik continues to grow as an important religious, industrial, and agricultural hub in Maharashtra.
The railway infrastructure upgrades are part of a broader set of preparations underway in Nashik ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. State and local authorities are simultaneously working on road, civic, and public utility projects to ensure that the city can manage the increased pressure on its transport and public service systems during the event.
Overall, the ₹1,200 crore investment reflects the Indian Railways’ focus on using major public events as an opportunity to accelerate long-term infrastructure development. Once completed, the upgraded rail network around Nashik is expected to deliver lasting benefits well beyond the Kumbh Mela, improving travel experience, safety, and connectivity for passengers across the region.