Kota railway division
 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Operator | West Central Railway |
| Headquarters | Kota |
| Locale | Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh |
| Dates of operation | April 1, 1952–present |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | Broad gauge |
| Electrification | 25 kV AC overhead line |
| Other | |
| Website | wcr |
The Kota railway division (Hindi: कोटा रेल मंडल) is one of the three railway divisions of the West Central Railway zone of Indian Railways. It was established on 1 April 1952 and is headquartered at Kota Junction in Kota, Rajasthan.
The division administers railway operations across parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. It includes an important section of the New Delhi–Mumbai main line, one of the busiest railway corridors in India, along with other major routes such as the Kota–Jaipur main line, Kota–Nagda railway line, Kota–Bina railway line and Kota–Chittorgarh railway line.
Kota railway division is responsible for passenger and freight operations, railway stations and railway infrastructure within its jurisdiction. In recent years, the division has undertaken several infrastructure improvement projects, including route electrification, track doubling, station redevelopment and the implementation of the KAVACH train protection system.
History
Division formation
Kota railway division was established on 1 April 1952. It is one of the three railway divisions of the West Central Railway zone, alongside the Bhopal railway division and the Jabalpur railway division. The divisional headquarters is located at Kota Junction in Rajasthan.
Development timeline
Since its establishment, the division has grown into one of the busiest railway divisions in India. A significant part of its network lies on the New Delhi–Mumbai main line, which carries a large volume of passenger and freight traffic. Over the years, the division has expanded its network, upgraded railway infrastructure and improved operational capacity to meet increasing traffic demand.
Important milestones
In recent years, Kota railway division has undertaken several major infrastructure projects. These include route electrification, track doubling, station redevelopment, the implementation of the KAVACH train protection system and speed enhancement works on the New Delhi–Mumbai corridor. The division has also been associated with speed trials of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express train and the redevelopment of stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Jurisdiction
Administrative area
Kota railway division administers railway operations across parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The division is headquartered at Kota Junction and functions under the West Central Railway zone of Indian Railways.
Covered districts
The division serves several districts in Rajasthan, including Kota, Bundi, Baran, Jhalawar, Sawai Madhopur and Bharatpur. It also covers parts of Madhya Pradesh, including Ratlam, Mandsaur, Guna and Sheopur, through its railway network.
Administrative control
The division is headed by the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), who is responsible for the administration, operation, maintenance and development of railway infrastructure within the division. Various departments, including engineering, mechanical, electrical, signalling and telecommunications, commercial, operating and personnel, function under the divisional administration.
Important junctions
The division includes several important railway junctions that play a key role in passenger and freight operations. Major junctions under the division include Kota Junction, Sawai Madhopur Junction, Gangapur City Junction, Bharatpur Junction, Ramganj Mandi Junction and Bayana Junction.
Railway network
A significant portion of the New Delhi–Mumbai main line passes through the Kota railway division, making it one of the busiest railway corridors under the division. Major stations on this route include Kota Junction, Ramganj Mandi Junction, Sawai Madhopur Junction, Gangapur City Junction, Bayana Junction and Bharatpur Junction. The corridor carries a large volume of passenger and freight traffic and has undergone extensive infrastructure upgrades, including route electrification, track doubling, signalling improvements and the implementation of the KAVACH train protection system.
Kota–Jaipur main line
The Kota–Jaipur main line connects Kota with Jaipur via Sawai Madhopur Junction. The route is an important passenger corridor in Rajasthan and also serves several intermediate stations. The Kota–Sawai Madhopur section is fully double-tracked and electrified, while doubling and electrification work on the Sawai Madhopur–Jaipur section is in progress.
Kota–Nagda railway line
The Kota–Nagda railway line connects Kota with Nagda in Madhya Pradesh. It forms part of an important rail corridor linking Rajasthan with western and central India and carries both passenger and freight traffic.
Kota–Bina railway line
The Kota–Bina railway line provides an important rail link between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. It is used by several passenger and freight trains connecting Kota with Bina and other destinations in central India.
Kota–Chittorgarh railway line
The Kota–Chittorgarh railway line connects Kota with Chittorgarh and provides rail connectivity to southern Rajasthan. It is an important route for both passenger movement and freight transportation.
Sheopur–Kota railway line
The proposed Sheopur–Kota railway line is planned to improve rail connectivity between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Once completed, it is expected to provide a shorter rail link between Kota and Sheopur while improving regional connectivity.
Other railway lines
In addition to its major routes, Kota railway division manages several branch lines and connecting routes that support passenger services, freight operations and regional connectivity across Rajasthan and neighbouring states.
Important railway stations in the Kota railway division
The following table lists the major railway stations under the Kota railway division.
| Railway station | Station code | Railway line(s) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kota Junction | KOTA | New Delhi–Mumbai main line | Headquarters of the Kota railway division and the busiest railway station in the division. |
| Sawai Madhopur Junction | SWM | New Delhi–Mumbai main line, Kota–Jaipur main line | Major junction connecting the Kota–Jaipur route with the New Delhi–Mumbai main line. |
| Gangapur City Junction | GGC | New Delhi–Mumbai main line, Dausa–Gangapur City railway line | Major junction in eastern Rajasthan. The proposed Dholpur–Gangapur City railway line will also originate from this station. |
| Bharatpur Junction | BTE | New Delhi–Mumbai main line | Important railway junction serving Bharatpur district and surrounding areas. |
| Ramganj Mandi Junction | RMA | New Delhi–Mumbai main line | Important passenger and freight railway station in southeastern Rajasthan. |
| New Kota railway station | NKOT | New Delhi–Mumbai main line | Formerly known as Dakaniya Talav railway station. It is being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and is planned to function as a satellite railway station for Kota. |
| Sogaria railway station | SGAC | Kota–Bina railway line | Developed as a satellite railway station to support operations at Kota Junction and improve operational efficiency. |
Other stations
The following are some of the other important railway stations under the Kota railway division:
| Railway station | District | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Bayana Junction | Bharatpur | Important junction on the New Delhi–Mumbai main line |
| Bhawani Mandi railway station | Jhalawar | Important passenger and freight station |
| Bundi railway station | Bundi | Major station serving Bundi district |
| Hindaun City railway station | Karauli | Important station on the New Delhi–Mumbai main line |
| Baran railway station | Baran | Principal station serving Baran district |
| Lakheri railway station | Bundi | Passenger and freight station |
| Indragarh Sumerganj Mandi railway station | Bundi | Important station on the Kota–Jaipur main line |
| Shri Mahabirji railway station | Karauli | Serves the Shri Mahabirji pilgrimage town |
| Chhabra Gugor railway station | Baran | Passenger station serving the Chhabra area |
Infrastructure
Electric Loco Shed, Tuglakabad is an electric locomotive shed of the Kota railway division under the West Central Railway. Although the shed is located at Tuglakabad in Delhi, it belongs to the Kota railway division and is one of the major electric locomotive maintenance facilities of the division. The shed maintains electric locomotives operating on the New Delhi–Mumbai main line and other important railway routes served by the division. 1
Electric Loco Shed, Kota
A new Electric Loco Shed, Kota has been proposed under the Kota railway division to expand electric locomotive maintenance capacity. Once completed, the proposed facility is expected to support the growing number of electric locomotives operating on the division's railway network.
Kota Coaching Depot
The Kota Coaching Depot is responsible for the inspection, maintenance and cleaning of passenger coaches. It supports the operation of long-distance, express and premium trains serving the division.
Signalling
Kota railway division uses modern signalling and telecommunications systems to ensure the safe and efficient movement of trains. The division is also implementing the KAVACH train protection system on important sections of its network.
Freight terminals
The division operates several freight terminals that handle commodities such as cement, fertilisers, food grains, minerals and other industrial goods. These facilities play an important role in freight transportation across the region.
Railway yards
Major railway yards at Kota Junction, Sawai Madhopur Junction and Gangapur City Junction are used for train marshalling, stabling, maintenance and other operational activities.
Maintenance facilities
In addition to locomotive and coach maintenance, the division maintains railway tracks, bridges, signalling equipment, overhead electrification and other railway assets through its engineering, electrical, mechanical and signal & telecommunication departments.
Modernisation and projects
Kota railway division is one of the important divisions where the KAVACH automatic train protection system is being implemented. The system is intended to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal-passing incidents and train collisions on busy routes.
Several stations under the division have been selected for redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The programme aims to modernise station infrastructure, improve passenger amenities and enhance accessibility.
New Kota railway station redevelopment
New Kota railway station is being redeveloped as a modern terminal station with improved passenger facilities and operational infrastructure. The project is expected to reduce congestion at Kota Junction and accommodate future growth in passenger traffic.
New Kota railway station as a satellite station
After redevelopment, New Kota railway station is expected to function as an important satellite station for Kota, helping distribute train operations and improve the efficiency of the city's railway network.
Sogaria railway station
Sogaria railway station has been developed as a satellite railway station for Kota. It handles selected passenger trains and supports operational activities, helping reduce congestion at Kota Junction.
Track doubling
Track doubling projects have been undertaken on several railway routes within the division to increase line capacity, improve punctuality and support the growing movement of passenger and freight trains.
Route electrification
Most important railway routes under the division have been electrified with 25 kV AC overhead traction. Electrification has improved operational efficiency, reduced dependence on diesel traction and enabled the operation of high-speed electric trains.
High-speed corridor
The section of the New Delhi–Mumbai main line under the Kota railway division has been upgraded to support train speeds of up to 160 km/h. The corridor has undergone significant improvements in track, signalling and other railway infrastructure.
Vande Bharat Sleeper Express trials
The Kota railway division has hosted speed trials of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express train on the New Delhi–Mumbai corridor. During testing, the train achieved speeds of up to 180 km/h on sections of the route.
Token system
The division has introduced a token system at major stations to streamline Tatkal ticket booking and improve passenger convenience by reducing crowding at reservation counters.
Sawai Madhopur Bypass Line Project
The proposed Sawai Madhopur Bypass Line Project will provide a new railway bypass between Devpura railway station and Kushtala railway station. The project is expected to allow selected through trains to bypass Sawai Madhopur Junction, reducing operational delays and improving the efficiency of train movements on the New Delhi–Mumbai main line.
Operations
Passenger services
Kota railway division operates a large number of passenger services, including long-distance, express, superfast, mail, intercity, MEMU and special trains. The division provides rail connectivity between Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and several other parts of India.
Freight operations
Freight transportation is one of the major activities of the division. A substantial volume of cement, fertilisers, food grains, coal, petroleum products, minerals and other industrial commodities is transported through the division's railway network.
Coaching operations
The division manages coaching operations through its coaching maintenance facilities and railway stations. Regular inspection, maintenance, cleaning and preparation of passenger coaches are carried out to ensure safe and reliable train services.
Major train routes
Kota railway division plays an important role in the operation of trains on the New Delhi–Mumbai main line, one of the busiest railway corridors in India. It also manages train operations on the Kota–Jaipur main line, Kota–Nagda railway line, Kota–Bina railway line and Kota–Chittorgarh railway line, providing important rail connectivity across northern, western and central India.
See also
- West Central Railway
- Bhopal railway division
- Jabalpur railway division
- Kota Junction railway station
- New Kota railway station
- Sogaria railway station
- Dakaniya Talav railway station
- Electric Loco Shed, Kota
- Electric Loco Shed, Tuglakabad
- New Delhi–Mumbai main line
- Kota–Jaipur main line
- Kota–Nagda railway line
- Kota–Bina railway line
- Kota–Chittorgarh railway line
- Kota–Sheopur railway line
- Dholpur–Gangapur City railway line
- Dausa–Gangapur City railway line
- Sawai Madhopur Bypass Line Project
- Kavach (train protection system)
- Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
- Vande Bharat Sleeper Express
References
- "Kota Railway Division". West Central Railway. Indian Railways. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
- "West Central Railway". West Central Railway. Indian Railways. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
- "System Map – Kota Division" (PDF). West Central Railway. Indian Railways. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
- "List of Stations – West Central Railway" (PDF). West Central Railway. Indian Railways. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
- "Kota Railway Division Map" (PDF). Indian Railways. Railway Board. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
- "Kota railway division". Wikipedia. Retrieved 16 July 2026.