Maharashtra approves Pune-Nashik semi high-speed line

In what would further boost development, the Maharashtra government has approved the Greenfield project involving a semi high-speed railway line between Pune and Nashik.

The 235-km route would have 24 stations, 18 tunnels and 19 viaducts – and would be an engineering marvel. The trains would move at a speed of around 200 kmph.

The Mumbai and the larger Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) along with Pune and Nashik forms what is often referred to as the Golden Triangle of Maharashtra.

The Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (MRIDC or MahaRail) will be executing the project.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has given a major push to the project.

Tabling the Budget proposals, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who holds the Finance and Planning portfolios, announced that the project would cost Rs 16,039 crore.

According to MahaRail officials, the project would be on a debt-equity basis of 60:40, wherein the government of Maharashtra and Ministry of Railway shall contribute equity of 20 per cent each of the project cost while the remaining 60 per cent will be raised from the Domestic Financial Institutions. MahaRail is estimated to complete the project in 1,200 days from the date of its financial closure.

“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. This has led to an unprecedented opportunity to achieve the sustainability and growth which is required for the 21st century,” an official said.

The MRIDC has envisaged the coaching configuration of six rakes with a carrying capacity of 450 passengers per train, a total number of 48 trips made by six rakes in a day for the initial phase.

The project will open a new revenue for industries by fast track movements of cargo by Railways as important MIDC areas such as Chakan, Sinnar Satpur will be directly connected by this Railway line.

Apart from these MIDC areas, the proposed line will cater to another important Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Khed, Narayangaon and Manchar.

This project will also provide benefits to places in tourism and pilgrimage Pune–Nashik corridor.

MRIDC has plans to develop a Private Freight Terminal (PFT), Dry Port, Multimodal and Commercial Hub, Warehouses and Sidings at suggested locations by the local industries.