Rail Surveys Sanctioned for Pune-Ahilyanagar Direct Connectivity, To Shorten Pune-Nashik Distance
New Delhi/Pune, 18th December 2024: Efforts to enhance railway connectivity between Pune and Nashik have taken a significant step forward with the approval of the doubling project for the 248-km Daund–Manmad railway line. Of the total stretch, 178 km has already been completed, while work on the remaining section is currently underway.
Additionally, surveys have been approved for three new railway projects, which include:
A new double line between Nashik and Sainagar Shirdi (82 km).
A new double line between Pune and Ahilyanagar (Ahmednagar) (125 km).
Doubling of the Sainagar Shirdi–Puntamba line (17 km).
Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for these proposed projects will be prepared once the surveys are completed. The updates were shared by Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw during a session in the Lok Sabha.
Minister Vaishnaw also provided an update on a proposed direct railway connection between Pune and Nashik. The DPR for this project was prepared by the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (MRIDC), a joint venture between the Government of Maharashtra and the Ministry of Railways, with each holding a 50% stake.
The proposed alignment, however, faced challenges as it passed through Narayangaon, home to the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) operated by the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), Pune. Since the GMRT is a globally significant observatory utilized by researchers from 31 countries, concerns were raised about the railway line’s potential impact on its operations. As a result, the alignment was deemed unsuitable.
Currently, Pune and Nashik are connected via two railway routes:
Pune–Kalyan–Nashik (265 km).
Pune–Daund–Ahmednagar–Manmad–Nashik (387 km).
These routes, while functional, are considered longer and less efficient, leading to the demand for a direct connection to reduce travel time and improve accessibility.
The Minister emphasized that railway projects are sanctioned based on various factors, including traffic projections, last-mile connectivity, socio-economic benefits, and augmentation of congested lines. The final approval depends on the availability of funds, ongoing project commitments, and other competing demands.
The sanctioned and proposed projects are expected to significantly improve connectivity and economic integration between Pune and Nashik, two of Maharashtra’s key cities.
