Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (MRIDC) has invited Expression of Interest (EoI) / applications for Pre-Qualification of Interested Agencies for Development of Itwari Railway Station (2nd Entry) on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Model.
- MRIDC, is a joint venture company of Govt. of Maharashtra and Ministry of Railways for implementation of various Railway Projects in the territory of Maharashtra.
- The aim of the company is to provide a boost to the Rail Infrastructure projects in and around Maharashtra State.
- MRIDC is implementing the Gauge conversion work with Electrification between Nagpur (Itwari) and Nagbhid (116 km) along with Railway Station Development.
Gauge conversion: Nagpur (Itwari)-Nagbhir section
- Nagpur and Nagbhir are linked directly by a Narrow-Gauge Railway network via Umrer and by two Broad Gauge Railway networks via Wardha and Gondia.
- However, Nagpur – Wardha and Nagpur – Gondia routes are saturated and over utilized.
- Out of the 628 km narrow gauge network under Nagpur division of South East Central Railway, only Nagpur – Nagbhir /106.2 km is pending for conversion.
- Therefore, the main aim of this project is to convert the existing Narrow Gauge to Broad Gauge to faster the coal movement from coal mines of WCL Chandrapur and Umrer area to KTPS (Koradi Thermal Power Station), APML (Adani Power Maharashtra Ltd.) Tiroda and NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) Mouda/Chacher and to reduce the congestion on existing routes.
Salient features:
| Existing | Proposed | |
| Length | 106.2 | 116 |
| Total No. of Stations | 19 | 19 |
| Crossing Stations | 04 | 06 |
| Terminal Stations | 02 | 02 |
| Passenger Halts | 13 | 11 |
| Total No of major bridges | 09 | 10 (9 + 1 between Umrer to Coal Mines Line) |
| Total No of minor bridges | 91 | 91 |
| Longest Bridge | Br. No.15 Over Marhu River (12×12.2m) at CH: 76877 | Br. No.15 Over Marhu River (12×12.2m) at CH: 76877 |
| Project Cost | — | 1400/- Crores |
| Completion period | — | 20 Months |
Benefits of the project:
- The Converted Broad Gauge Line will be operated for goods as well as passenger trains with a lot of environmental and financial benefit.
- It will facilitate decongestion of Nagpur, Kalumna, Itwari, Ajni and Wardha Railway yards.
- Thus, facilitating running of shuttle passenger trains in and around Nagpur.
- The movement of coal rake from captive mines of MAHAGENCO at Chandrapur to Koradi will also be facilitated by reduction in travel time.
- Conversion of existing Narrow Gauge to Broad Gauge shall reduce the congestion in these routes and enable faster movement of cargo supply in this region.
- It will reduce the Coal rake movement time from present 22 hrs to 4 hrs.
- The proposed project will be of immense benefit to MAHAGENCO in procurement of coal from Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) mines located in Umrer & Chandrapur district in the state of Maharashtra near Nagpur, which is in close proximity to various Thermal Power Plants in the region of Nagpur.
- The Major Plants which will be benefited are:-
- Koradi Thermal Power Station (KTPS)
- Khaperkheda Thermal Power Station(KPKD)
- Adani Power Maharashtra Ltd, Tirora (APML, Tirora)
- Mauda Super Thermal Power Station
- NTPC Mauda
Interested Firms / Agencies can download the Invitation of Expression of Interest (EoI) document for Pre-qualification from MRIDC’s official website www.maharail.com
Source: MRIDC-Tender | Image Credit: MRIDC
