PM Narendra Modi to dedicate country's longest railway platform in Hubballi today

HUBBALLI: Hubballi city is all set to be recognised on the global map for having the country's longest railway platform. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate the 1.5-km (1,507m) railway platform of the Siddharoodha Swamiji Railway Station here to the nation on Sunday.
SWR Hubballi claims this platform is not only the country's longest but is also the world's longest railway platform. Gorakhpur junction in UP has the second largest platform, with a length of 1,366.33m and Kollam junction in Kerala has the third longest platform at 1180.5 m.
Aneesh Hegde, chief public relations officer, Hubballi told STOI that the longest platform (PF8) was constructed as part of the remodelling of Hubballi yard. Earlier, Hubballi Station had five platforms and there was a need to increase the capacity to handle traffic.
"Three new platforms were added longitudinally in continuation of the existing platforms, one of which is the longest platform in the world. To avoid congestion while entering express trains at the station, we faced an additional challenge, since the station is located in the central part of the city and we also did not have additional land to expand the yard," he said.
It is possible to dispatch two-three trains at once in two different directions from the long platform. The work was taken up at a cost of Rs 115 crore for full yard remodelling, signalling, electrical and third entry, building etc.
Of this, Rs 21.1 crore was spent on constructing the longest platform. The work on the yard remodelling started in November 2019 and was concluded in September 2022.
Three new platforms enable simultaneous movements of trains in Hubballi yard from Bengaluru, Gadag and Londa ends. Hubballi Yard speed restriction of 15 kmph has been relaxed and full speed on the main line can be achieved. Routing of home signals where trains have to wait for clearance to enter the platform has been eliminated. This is mean trains arriving at Hubballi can stop directly on the platform, he said.
Additionally, a centralised station master room (central cabin) has been equipped with state-of-the-art electronic interlocking, a Dual Visual Display Unit, and hot standby to control the entire yard operation. A new subway is provided along with a new third entry for the passengers boarding from new platforms, he said.