Pune: Hunger Protest Warning as Talegaon–Uruli Railway Line Faces Farmers’ Opposition; Route Review Meeting on November 7
Pune, 4th November 2025: Farmers from Khed, Maval, and Haveli tehsils have urged authorities to find an alternate alignment for the proposed Talegaon Dabhade–Uruli Kanchan railway line, expressing strong opposition to land acquisition for the project. The Pune District Collector has assured villagers that a solution will be explored, with a final meeting scheduled with railway officials on November 7.
During a meeting held at the collectorate, farmers voiced concerns that the current alignment passes through residential and agricultural areas, threatening livelihoods across more than 15 villages. Many farmers stated that previous projects industrial zones, highways, and ring roads had already led to significant loss of agricultural land. They emphasized that compensation for land cannot replace the sustained income their farmlands generate.
Railway officials have informally confirmed that communication has been initiated with the district administration, noting that any realignment would be a challenging process.
The opposition group, representing affected villagers, stated that while they are open to dialogue, they expect the authorities to protect their ancestral lands and ensure that no further displacement occurs. Villagers also plan to attend the upcoming meeting and present their objections directly to the railway officials.
According to official project documents, the proposed Talegaon–Uruli third and fourth railway lines form part of the Pune Bypass Line, sanctioned on February 8, 2024. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is in its final vetting stage under Central Railway’s headquarters finance division.
The project spans 78.14 kilometres, requiring 602.08 hectares of land including 476 hectares of private property, 79 hectares of forest land, and 9 hectares of government-owned plots. The plan includes six tunnels, 17 major bridges, 121 minor bridges, and six road overbridges. Designed for a speed of 160 kmph, the total estimated cost stands at ₹8,525.67 crore.
Officials said the DPR was reviewed by the Project Evaluation Committee between July and September 2025 and accepted in August. The construction period is projected at five years, with internal and economic rate of returns calculated at 10.32% and 20.84% respectively.
Villagers have indicated that if their concerns are not addressed in the November 7 meeting, they may escalate their protest through roadblocks and hunger strikes.
