Hon’ Minister of State for Railways, Coal and Mines, Government of India Shri. Raosaheb Patil Danve visited Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (MRIDC or MahaRail’s) Head Office at Nariman Point, Mumbai on Wednesday 8th September, 2021. Shri. Rajesh Kumar Jaiswal, Managing Director, MahaRail made a presentation on ongoing and pipeline Rail Line and Rail Infrastructure Development projects works being implemented by MahaRail.
- The presentation overviewed the tremendous potential to develop new Railway Line networks in the State to connect the remote cities.
Shri Rajesh Kumar Jaiswal, Managing Director, MahaRail informed, “Railway is the backbone of economic development of any country in the world. Road and Rail transport facilities have expanded simultaneously in regions and countries like Europe, Japan, South Korea, Russia and China. However, in our country Road infrastructural facilities have been developed more extensively as compared to Railway Lines. Maharashtra has a higher density of Roadways while the Railway network is grossly inadequate. Hence, there is a need for developing new Railway Lines in Maharashtra to meet the massive transportation requirements.”
- There is an impending demand from the people of Marathwadato develop Railway Lines.
- During the meeting, Shri Rajesh Kumar Jaiswal, Managing Director, MahaRail also informed about the development of Marathwada Region with regards to Rail network connectivity.
- Various Rail Line projects like Jalna-Khamgaon, Rotegaon-Kopargaon, Aurangabad-Chalisgaon and Latur-Nanded were discussed to resolve the problems of Marathwada.
- Developing these Railway Lines would not only facilitate Rail connectivity but shall also enhance tourism, industrial, educational and employment opportunities.
- During the meeting, Hon’ Minister of State for Railways, Coal and Mines, Government of India Shri. Raosaheb Patil Danve was overwhelmed to learn that within the short span of two (2) years of the functioning of MahaRail, the JV Corporation of Govt. of Maharashtra and Ministry of Railways has set up its In-House teams for Planning, Designing, Drawings, 3D, Survey, Estimation, Tender, Contracts and Quality Control.
- It has expertise in planning and execution of Railway Line and other Rail Infrastructure works.
Significant projects of MahaRail:
- Formed with a vision to meet the growing demands for new projects and to expedite ongoing infra projects in the state of Maharashtra, MahaRailpromises to address infrastructural demands in Maharashtra by providing critical connectivity and capacity enhancement.
- With a vision to eliminate the Level Crossings (LC), MahaRail, within 2 years of its functioning has started construction of Road Over Bridges (ROBs), Road Under Bridges (RUBs) and Limited Height Subways (LHS) at 44 locations in Maharashtra.
- In the first phase, MRIDC is already constructing 69 ROBs across the state. Physical construction of ROBs has started at various locations in Nanded, Mumbai, Dondaicha, Pune, Karad, Nagpur etc
Nagpur – Nagbhir Gauge Conversion Project:
- To embark on the Rail Line project works, MahaRail has started Gauge Conversion work on Nagpur (Itwari)-Nagbhir Rail Line (116 km) in December 2019.
- In the next 16 months, the Itwari-Nagpur Rail Line shall be commissioned.
- Alongside rolling out the Broad Gauge Line, the route will be electrified thereby ensuring faster movement of goods as well as passenger trains.
- Once completed the Itwari-Nagbhir section would ease congestion on the Wardha-Sewagram-Nagpur route as it has become oversaturated.
Pune – Nashik Semi High-SpeedRail Line:
- The much-awaited Pune-Nashik Semi-High Speed Rail Line would bring down the travel time between two cities from present 06 hours to 01 hour 45 mins boosting passenger and freight movements. Thus, it will facilitate the creation of Mumbai-Pune-Nashik Golden Triangle as an emerging economic hub.
Shri. Rajesh Kumar Jaiswal, Managing Director, MahaRail said – “This project will be a role model for development of new Railway Line networks in Maharashtra. This project is unique because it is the first Broad-Gauge Semi-High Speed Rail Line in India and in the world. It is designed in such a way that goods trains, conventional passenger trains as well as High-Speed trains can run on the same route.”
- The entire cost of the project is pegged at Rs 16,039 Crore (including taxes) on Debt: Equity of 60:40 basis; wherein Government of Maharashtra and Ministry of Railway shall contribute equity of 20% each of the project cost.
- While the remaining 60% will be raised from the Domestic Financial Institution. MahaRail has estimated to complete the project in 1200 days from the date of its financial closure.
Other Pipeline Projects:
- Other new Railway Line projects in pipeline and approved by Board of Directors of MRIDC are Mumbai-Pune (Semi High-Speed Rail Line), Salwa-Butibori (Chord line), Gadchandur-Adilabad (New Rail Line), Pune-Ratnagiri, Aurangabad-Chalisgaon, Rotegaon-Kopargaon, Pune-Aurangabad, Pune-Nanded and laying of 3rd & 4th Line between Igatpuri-Manmad.
Source: MRIDC-Press Release | Image Credit (representational): MRIDC
