The Western Railway is planning to develop Udhna railway station in Gujarat as a major terminal to reduce congestion at Surat station. The cost is estimated at Rs 25 crore.
A high level team of railway officials along with Minister of State for Railways, Narayan Rathwa, visited Surat and Udhna railway stations to make an assessment in this regard.
Udhna station, situated 5 km away from Surat, is a small junction point where lines coming from Mumbai and Bhusawal (Tapti line) join.
The scope for developing the century-old Surat station is almost saturated and development of Udhna would help travellers going towards Mumbai and Bhusawal. The new development project for Udhna will include coach maintenance facilities, washing footline and passengers amenities.
A report to outline the comprehensive development plan for Udhna station will be presented to the Railway Board in September and an allocation will be made in the 2008 railway budget.