Re: Gorakh Dhanda, Gorkhay and Gorakhpur
at some point in time, it was used as the platform for loading and unloading freight train [maal gaaRii, goods train] which pretty long at times…so a long platform was needed for this purpose.
now the long distance trains are pretty long [24 to 26 coaches/bogies plus one or two locomotives depending on the grading of the tracks]…in the last 10-15 years, almost ALL the platforms across India had to be extended to accommodate these long trains.
now, at Kharagpur, the platforms are NOT used for freight trains anymore. instead, they park 2-3 trains one ONE platform…they have signals marking the beginning and ending of the platforms [1A, 1B, 1C].