Community hub
0 subscribers8 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to Bilaspur Junction railway station.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Bilaspur Junction railway station
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
Bilaspur Junction Railway Station (station code BSP), located in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, serves Bilaspur in Bilaspur district.
Key Information
History
[edit]The railway station came up in 1889 with the opening of Rajnandgaon to Bilaspur extension of erstwhile Nagpur Chhattisgarh Railway taken over by Bengal Nagpur Railway and construction of the Nagpur–Asansol main line of Bengal Nagpur Railway, which opened in 1891. The station building was constructed in 1890. It became a station on the crosscountry Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line in 1900.[1]
Electrification
[edit]The Rourkela–Bilaspur section was electrified in 1969–70 while Bilaspur–Nagpur in 1976–77 and Bilaspur–Katni in 1981.[2]
Zonal HQ
[edit]Bilaspur is headquarters of South East Central Railway.[3]
Electric Loco Shed, Bilaspur
[edit]Bilaspur Electric Loco Shed was commissioned on 2018.
| Serial No. | Locomotive Class | Horsepower | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | WAG-9 | 6120 | 257 |
| 2. | EF12K | 12000 | 13 |
| Total Locomotives Active as of September 2025[4] | 270 | ||
Busy station
[edit]Bilaspur is amongst the top hundred booking stations of Indian Railway.[5] as about 340 passenger trains and goods trains passes every day.
Important trains
[edit]- 18477/ Kalinga Utkal Express
- 12441/ Bilaspur Rajdhani Express
- 12130/ Azad Hind Express
- 18237/ Chhattisgarh Express
- 12823/ Chhattisgarh Sampark Kranti Superfast Express
- 12102/ Jnaneswari Express
- 12810/ Howrah–Mumbai Mail
- 12855/ Bilaspur–Itwari Intercity Superfast Express
- 18029/ Shalimar–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express
- 22815/ Ernakulam–Bilaspur Express
- 12851/ Bilaspur–Chennai Central Superfast Express
- 22619/ Tirunelveli–Bilaspur Express
- 20826/ Bilaspur–Nagpur Vande Bharat Express
Achievements
[edit]Bilaspur Junction railway station has many achievements:
- Bilaspur Junction is third-cleanest railway station and cleanest zonal headquarter railway station of India. (Survey 2015–16)
- Here is fifth-longest railway platform in Bilaspur Junction.
References
[edit]- ^ "Major Events in the Formation of S.E. Railway". South Eastern Railway. Archived from the original on 1 April 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
- ^ "History of Electrification". IRFCA. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
- ^ "South East Central Railway". South East Central Railway. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
- ^ "Electric Loco Holding". Railnet. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ "Indian Railways Passenger Reservation Enquiry". Availability in trains for Top 100 Booking Stations of Indian Railways. IRFCA. Archived from the original on 10 May 2014. Retrieved 2012-11-21.
External links
[edit]
Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) travel guide from Wikivoyage
| Preceding station |  Indian Railways
|
Following station | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gatora towards ?
|
South East Central Railway zone | Dadhapara towards ?
| ||
| Uslapur towards ?
|
South East Central Railway zone Katni–Bilaspur branch line
|
Terminus | ||
Bilaspur Junction railway station
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Overview
Location and classification
Bilaspur Junction railway station is located in Bilaspur, the district headquarters of Bilaspur district in Chhattisgarh, India, serving as a vital transportation hub for the region and surrounding areas. It is the largest railway station in Chhattisgarh. The station lies at geographical coordinates 22.0572°N 82.1678°E and has an elevation of 292 meters above sea level.[4] Owned and operated by Indian Railways, the station operates under the South East Central Railway (SECR) zone and uses the station code BSP.[4][7] Bilaspur Junction is classified as an NSG 2-category station and functions as a major junction, primarily connecting the Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai main line with the Bilaspur–Katni line.[4] It also serves as the headquarters for the SECR zone.[8]Facilities and amenities
Bilaspur Junction railway station features eight platforms, comprising five island platforms and three terminus platforms, with two additional platforms under construction as of October 2025 to accommodate growing traffic demands.[4] The station is equipped with 18 tracks, facilitating efficient shunting and train movements across its connected lines.[9] Passenger amenities at the station include free Wi-Fi access throughout the premises, enhancing connectivity for travelers.[10] Accessibility features for persons with disabilities, known as Divyangjan, encompass ramps, tactile pathways, and dedicated facilities to ensure inclusive movement within the station.[11] Waiting rooms are available in both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned variants, alongside retiring rooms in single, double, AC, and dormitory configurations for short stays.[12] Food services comprise multiple stalls offering diverse options, including e-catering integration for in-train meals, with provisions for vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisines.[13] The original station building, constructed in 1890 during the British era, exemplifies colonial-era architecture and currently serves as a VIP entrance, preserving its historical facade.[14] Modern upgrades under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, initiated in 2024 with a budget of Rs 435 crore, include a 6,000 square meter concourse capable of accommodating 800 passengers, along with enhanced lighting, signage, and integrated multi-modal transport links.[15] Operationally, the station handles over 170 trains daily, underscoring its role as a critical hub for passenger and freight services in central India.[4]History
Establishment and development
Bilaspur Junction railway station was established in 1889 as part of the Bengal Nagpur Railway's expansion into central India, coinciding with the opening of the line from Raipur to Bilaspur on February 14 for passenger traffic. This development marked a significant step in connecting the resource-rich Chhattisgarh region to broader networks, facilitating the transport of coal and other commodities from nearby mines. The station quickly became integral to the colonial railway infrastructure, with goods traffic on the Bilaspur-Umaria branch commencing in 1891 to support industrial freight needs.[16][17] The station building was constructed in 1890, serving as a durable hub amid the growing rail operations. By 1900, Bilaspur Junction had been integrated into the expansive Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line following the completion of the Kharagpur-Howrah section in 1898–1899, which linked eastern and western India through Nagpur. During the British colonial era, the station played a pivotal role in both freight and passenger transport, handling substantial volumes of coal, timber, and agricultural goods from central India while enabling passenger movement across the subcontinent, contributing to economic integration and administrative control.[14][16][18] Following India's independence in 1947, the station underwent organizational changes as the Bengal Nagpur Railway's management was taken over by the Government of India in 1944 and merged into the Eastern Railway on April 14, 1952. On August 1, 1955, the South Eastern Railway was formed by carving out the former BNR network from the Eastern Railway. This restructuring enhanced operational efficiency and supported post-independence economic growth. Key developments included line extensions such as the Sambalpur-Titlagarh branch in 1963 for improved regional connectivity and the Durg-Bokaro section in 1964 to serve emerging steel industries, alongside station upgrades to accommodate rising freight and passenger volumes from industrial expansion in central India before the onset of electrification in the late 1960s.[16][19]Electrification
The electrification of the rail network serving Bilaspur Junction railway station marked a significant advancement in the region's rail infrastructure, beginning with the Rourkela–Bilaspur section, which was completed between 1969 and 1970.[17] This initial phase introduced electric traction to the Howrah–Mumbai main line corridor, replacing steam and early diesel operations with more reliable electric locomotives.[20] The project enhanced power supply stability for freight and passenger services originating from or passing through Bilaspur, setting the stage for broader network upgrades.[21] Subsequent electrification efforts expanded connectivity, with the Bilaspur–Nagpur section finalized in 1976–77, integrating the station into the electrified South East Central Railway network.[17] By 1981, the Bilaspur–Katni section was also electrified, completing key linkages to northern and eastern routes.[17] These developments utilized 25 kV AC overhead electrification systems, standard for Indian Railways, which allowed for consistent power distribution across diverse terrains.[22] The electrification process profoundly improved operational efficiency at Bilaspur Junction, enabling higher train speeds of up to 130 km/h on electrified tracks and increasing line capacity by reducing turnaround times for locomotives.[22] Freight haulage improved due to the superior power output of electric locos, supporting heavier loads and more frequent services without the limitations of diesel refueling. Overall, these upgrades boosted throughput by an estimated 20-30% in the post-electrification era, minimizing delays and energy costs.[22] With the formation of the South East Central Railway (SECR) zone on April 1, 2003, headquartered at Bilaspur, the station transitioned to fully electric operations across its divisions.[24] This integration aligned the legacy electrified sections with modern SECR initiatives, culminating in 100% electrification of Chhattisgarh's broad-gauge network by March 2025, further optimizing Bilaspur's role as a major electric traction hub.[25] The shift reduced reliance on diesel, promoting sustainable rail transport while enhancing the station's capacity for high-volume traffic.[1]Infrastructure
Platforms and tracks
Bilaspur Junction railway station is equipped with 8 platforms, comprising 5 island platforms and 3 terminus platforms, designed to accommodate a variety of train lengths and types for efficient passenger handling. One of these, Platform 1, measures 802 meters in length, making it the fourth longest railway platform in India and supporting operations for long-distance express trains. As part of infrastructure enhancements, three additional platforms (9, 10, and 11) are under construction to boost the station's capacity amid rising traffic demands.[6] The station features a total of 18 tracks, including quadruple main lines for high-speed connectivity on the Mumbai-Howrah route, along with dedicated sidings and a separate goods yard for freight management. This layout enables the junction to route trains across multiple directions, connecting northern, southern, eastern, and western networks while minimizing congestion through parallel operations. Advanced automatic block signaling is implemented across the South East Central Railway zone, including Bilaspur Junction, allowing multiple trains to run simultaneously in a single block section for improved line capacity and safety. Signals are positioned at intervals of about 1.5 kilometers, providing real-time monitoring and reducing headway times between trains. The infrastructure supports high-volume simultaneous operations, with the yard capable of handling over 70 freight trains daily from key directions like Champa, Raipur, and Anuppur, enhancing overall throughput. In terms of freight, the station's extensive sidings and goods facilities connect directly to regional industries, facilitating the transport of coal, cement, and iron ore from Chhattisgarh's mining and manufacturing hubs.Locomotive shed
The Electric Loco Shed at Bilaspur Junction was commissioned in October 2018 as part of the South East Central Railway's (SECR) efforts to enhance maintenance facilities for electric locomotives amid increasing electrification. Initially designed with a homing capacity of 100 locomotives, the shed focuses on supporting freight and passenger services through dedicated electric fleet upkeep.[26] As of January 2025, the shed maintains 240 locomotives, mostly WAG-9 units for heavy freight hauling, including EF12K twin-section locomotives consisting of two coupled WAG-9 units providing 12,000 HP for high-power operations.[17] This fleet plays a critical role in SECR's operations, ensuring reliable traction for coal, iron ore, and passenger trains across central India.[27] The facility is equipped for comprehensive maintenance, including heavy repairs such as intermediate overhauls (IOH), component overhauls, and periodic schedules to minimize downtime.[26] It also conducts crew training programs for loco pilots and assistants, emphasizing safety protocols, fault diagnosis, and handling of three-phase electric systems. The shed holds ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality management and ISO 14001:2015 for environmental standards, reflecting its commitment to efficient and sustainable practices.[28] Post-2018, the shed has undergone capacity upgrades, including additional bays and heavy-lift equipment to accommodate the expanded fleet and rising demand from SECR's zonal headquarters oversight.[29]Operations
Zonal headquarters
Bilaspur Junction railway station serves as the zonal headquarters for the South East Central Railway (SECR), which was established on 1 April 2003 as part of the reorganization of existing railway zones to enhance administrative efficiency.[30][31] The headquarters oversees the zone's three divisions—Bilaspur, Raipur, and Nagpur—spanning Chhattisgarh and parts of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha, managing division-level operations, train scheduling, and the implementation of national railway policies.[30][32] Key administrative offices are housed at the station complex, including the General Manager's office in the New GM Building and operational control rooms that coordinate network-wide activities such as signaling and traffic management.[33] The organizational structure at the headquarters is headed by the General Manager, supported by Principal Chief officers in departments like personnel, commercial, engineering, and safety, ensuring coordinated policy execution across the zone's approximately 2,400 km of route length.[34] As the administrative hub, the headquarters significantly enhances regional rail connectivity by facilitating efficient freight and passenger services, particularly in mineral-rich areas, thereby supporting industrial growth and economic development in Chhattisgarh and adjacent states.[35] This central role has bolstered the transport of coal and other commodities, contributing to the state's industrial infrastructure and broader economic integration.[36]Passenger traffic and major trains
Bilaspur Junction railway station serves as a vital hub for passenger movement in central India, handling approximately 6.4 million passengers annually based on 2024 footfall data. This volume positions it among India's top 100 busiest stations by both revenue and passenger traffic, reflecting its role in facilitating regional and long-distance travel within the South East Central Railway zone.[37] The station manages around 340 train movements daily, including originating, terminating, and passing services, which underscores its operational intensity as a key junction on major routes like the Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line.[17] Several prominent trains originate or terminate at Bilaspur Junction, providing direct connectivity to major cities across India. The Chhattisgarh Express (18237/18238) runs between Korba (via Bilaspur) and Amritsar Junction, offering a key link to Delhi and northern destinations over a distance of about 2,100 km.[38][39] The Vande Bharat Express (20825/20826) connects Bilaspur to Nagpur, covering 412 km in about 5 hours 30 minutes and serving as a high-speed option for central Indian travel.[38][40] Additionally, the Bilaspur–Tirupati Express (17481/17482) links Bilaspur to Tirupati in southern India, spanning about 1,400 km and catering to pilgrims and long-distance passengers.[38][41] The Gitanjali Express (12859/12860), passing through Bilaspur, facilitates efficient superfast service between Howrah (Kolkata) and Mumbai CSMT, enhancing eastern-western corridor connectivity. Passenger traffic peaks during festival periods such as Diwali and Chhath Puja, driven by heightened demand for travel to regional destinations in Chhattisgarh and neighboring states like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.[42] This surge highlights the station's importance in supporting seasonal mobility for local communities and migrant workers.Incidents
Historical accidents
One of the most tragic incidents near Bilaspur Junction occurred on September 14, 1997, when five coaches of the Ahmedabad-Howrah Express derailed and plunged into a dry riverbed in Bilaspur district, then part of Madhya Pradesh, killing at least 81 people and injuring over 175 others.[43] The derailment was caused by a gap in the tracks due to inadequate maintenance by railway staff, highlighting early vulnerabilities in infrastructure oversight in the region.[43] In the post-independence era, a significant accident took place on October 22, 2011, at the Tarbahar manned level crossing near Bilaspur Junction, where 16 people were killed and 15 injured after being run over by the Bilaspur-Raipur passenger train.[44][45] The victims, including women and children, had crossed the tracks following the passage of another train, underscoring the dangers of manned crossings and human behavior at rail interfaces.[44][45] This event prompted immediate calls for enhanced safety measures at such locations under the South East Central Railway (SECR). Goods train derailments have also been recurrent near the station, with a notable case on August 7, 2013, when 27 coal-laden wagons derailed between Bilaspur and Katni, disrupting traffic on the single-line section but causing no casualties.[46] The cause was attributed to track irregularities, reflecting ongoing challenges with freight operations in the coal-rich Bilaspur division.[47] Pre-2025 accident statistics indicate a national total of 200 consequential accidents with 351 deaths during 2019–2023.[48] These figures represent a decline from earlier decades, with accidents per million train kilometers dropping to 0.03 by 2024, but they emphasize persistent risks from human error and infrastructure issues in high-traffic zones like Bilaspur.[48] In response to these historical events, SECR implemented safety enhancements, including the phased elimination of unmanned level crossings; by 2024, several such crossings near Bilaspur, like Tarbahar, were upgraded to manned gates or underpasses to prevent pedestrian tragedies.[49] Signaling upgrades, such as the introduction of automatic block signaling on key routes from Bilaspur, were rolled out post-2013 derailments to detect track faults and reduce collision risks.[50] Additionally, preparatory work for the indigenous Kavach automatic train protection system began in SECR by late 2024, covering over 600 km of lines including Bilaspur divisions, to automatically apply brakes in signal violation scenarios and address lessons from past human-error incidents.[51] These improvements have shaped SECR policies, emphasizing regular safety audits, crew training on signal compliance, and infrastructure maintenance protocols, reducing accident rates and influencing broader Indian Railways strategies for zonal safety.[50] The focus on preventive measures post-1997 and 2011 has prioritized conceptual shifts toward technology integration and accountability, though challenges persist in fully mitigating regional risks.[52]2025 collision
On November 4, 2025, at approximately 4:00 PM IST, the Gevra Road–Bilaspur MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) passenger train, carrying around 200 passengers, collided with a stationary goods train near Bilaspur Junction railway station in Chhattisgarh, India.[53][54] The impact occurred after the passenger train overshot a red signal and failed to stop, ramming into the rear coaches of the parked cargo rake in the Lal Khand area along the Bilaspur–Katni route.[55][56] The collision resulted in 12 fatalities, including the loco pilot of the passenger train, and at least 20 injuries, with victims suffering from blunt trauma and crush injuries primarily in the leading coaches.[53][57][58] Rescue operations were swiftly launched by Indian Railways personnel, local police, fire services, and medical teams from nearby hospitals, including the deployment of four National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to extricate trapped passengers and clear debris.[59][60] The operation, which involved cutting through mangled coaches, concluded by late evening, with all injured individuals transported to Bilaspur's district hospital and other facilities for treatment.[57] Preliminary investigations by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) and South East Central Railway (SECR) authorities, as of November 12, 2025, attributed the incident to human error, specifically the crew's failure to heed the red signal and apply emergency brakes in time, with no evidence of signaling system malfunction; further probe revealed the loco pilot had not cleared an aptitude test.[55][54][61] An FIR was registered against unidentified persons under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for endangering human life by rash acts, pending further probe.[62][63] In the immediate aftermath, rail traffic on the affected line was disrupted for several hours, with the main down line resuming operations at 6:16 PM IST after wreckage clearance, though full normalization took until the next day.[60] Indian Railways announced ex-gratia payments of ₹10 lakh to the families of each deceased passenger and ₹2 lakh to seriously injured victims, in line with standard protocols.[64] Additionally, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai directed state aid of ₹5 lakh per deceased family and ₹50,000 for the injured, while Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao visited hospitals to oversee medical care.[65] As of November 12, 2025, no major policy changes had been announced, but the incident prompted calls from opposition leaders for a high-level inquiry into railway safety lapses.[66]Achievements
Cleanliness and maintenance awards
Bilaspur Junction railway station was adjudged the third cleanest railway station in India in the 2015–16 cleanliness survey conducted by the Indian Railways across 407 major stations. The assessment, carried out by TNS India on behalf of IRCTC, evaluated aspects including waste management, sanitation facilities, platform upkeep, and overall infrastructure, with Bilaspur outperforming other A-grade stations like Raipur and Bhopal.[67][68] As the headquarters of the South East Central Railway zone, the station secured the top rank within its zone in the same survey, with a passenger cleanliness score of 768 out of 1000, earning it the distinction of the cleanest zonal headquarters station. This recognition highlighted effective housekeeping practices, such as regular waste segregation and pest control, contributing to superior hygiene standards among zonal hubs.[69] Sustained maintenance efforts have followed these accolades, with the South East Central Railway's Bilaspur Division implementing ongoing sanitation drives focused on waste management and equipment upgrades. In August 2025, comprehensive inspections ensured the availability of modern cleaning tools and reinforced solid waste handling protocols at the station, aligning with national Swachh Bharat initiatives.[70] Extended Swachhata campaigns in the same month included rallies and community outreach to promote hygiene awareness, further embedding cleanliness into daily operations.[71] In the 2025 cleanliness survey, Bilaspur Junction ranked within the top 100 stations nationally, the sole representative from Chhattisgarh.[72] These measures have helped preserve the station's reputation for upkeep, supporting consistent passenger satisfaction in hygiene-related amenities.Infrastructure milestones
Bilaspur Junction railway station features one of the longest railway platforms in India, measuring 802 meters, allowing it to accommodate extended passenger and freight trains efficiently.[73] A significant infrastructure achievement was the commissioning of the Electric Loco Shed in October 2018, with an initial holding capacity of 100 locomotives, supporting the transition to electric traction and enhancing operational reliability for the South East Central Railway zone.[29] This facility marked a key step in modernizing loco maintenance, enabling better handling of increased traffic volumes. Electrification projects at the station and surrounding network reached a major milestone with the completion of 100% broad gauge electrification in Chhattisgarh by March 2023, further advanced in 2025 through upgrades including the implementation of a 2x25 kV traction system that improved voltage regulation and supported higher-speed freight and passenger operations.[1][21] These developments, including the Bilaspur-Anuppur-Katni section electrified between 1992 and 1995, have reduced transit times and energy costs, facilitating smoother high-speed rail movements.[21] Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, construction of additional infrastructure, including two new platforms, commenced in 2025 as part of a ₹435 crore redevelopment project to expand capacity and improve passenger flow.[74] This ongoing work aims to add modern facilities while preserving operational continuity. The station has contributed to regional freight efficiency by serving as a vital hub for industrial cargo, particularly coal, steel, and cement from Chhattisgarh's mines and plants, with enhanced loco shedding and electrification enabling higher throughput and reduced turnaround times for goods trains.[29] As the zonal headquarters, these milestones underscore Bilaspur's role in coordinating broader network improvements.References
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/[raipur](/page/Raipur)/south-east-central-railway-achieves-milestone-in-electrification-drive-paving-the-way-for-green-transport/articleshow/117853856.cms