Mumbai, Nov. 5 -- The Manmad-Indore railway line, connecting Manmad in Maharashtra with Dr Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow) in Madhya Pradesh, is set to strengthen rail connectivity between Mumbai and Indore. The 309-km greenfield Broad Gauge project has an estimated cost of Rs. 180.36 bn and is targeted for completion by FY29.
Approved by the Cabinet in September 2024, the project will pass through six districts across the two states. The alignment will cover Nashik and Dhule in Maharashtra, and Barwani, Khargone, Dhar and Indore in Madhya Pradesh. Thirty new stations are planned along the route to improve access to passenger rail services.
According to the Ministry of Railways, the line will provide connectivity to around 1,000 villages and benefit approximately 3 mn people. It is also intended to create a shorter and more direct rail route between the two commercial centres, while extending services to regions with limited access to the existing railway network.
Central Railway has invited bids for construction of a 75.50-km section between Wanihar and Gyaspur Khedi in Madhya Pradesh. The Rs. 25.48 bn contract includes bridges, tunnels, track laying, signalling systems, overhead electric lines, railway facilities and associated electrical works.
The project is expected to support freight movement between the Pithampur Auto Cluster, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and other state ports. The cluster includes around 90 large units and 700 small and medium industries. The railway line will also connect millet-producing districts in Madhya Pradesh and onion-producing districts in Maharashtra, helping move agricultural produce to northern and southern markets. Improved access to the Ujjain-Indore region, including the Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, could also support tourism.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.