Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has approved a Rs 1,011 crore plan for upgrading railway infrastructure at five key Central Railway stations—Nashik Road, Devlali, Odha, Kasbe Sukene, and Kherwadi, in Nashik district of Maharashtra. The development is aimed at managing the anticipated surge in pilgrim traffic during Simhastha Kumbh Mela and improving overall connectivity. 

Along with Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu, the Railway Minister conducted a comprehensive review of the proposals submitted by Central Railway’s General Manager and the Bhusawal Divisional Railway Manager. The plan includes setting up new facilities and station expansions to manage the influx efficiently. Devlali station will see the addition of two pit lines, two sick lines, and two stabilising lines. It will also get three new platforms—two for terminating trains arriving from Mumbai and Nashik, and one for through traffic.

At Nashik Road station, two new parking lines are being developed, and Platform 1 will be extended to accommodate 24-coach trains. Platform 4 will be upgraded for bi-directional use. Odha station will have five stabilising lines and one additional platform. These facilities will also serve freight operations during non-Kumbh periods.