India, June 17 -- Indian Railways has approved the construction of the 3.7-km Somtane-Chikhli Chord Line on Central Railway at an estimated cost of Rs 172 crore, aimed at enhancing freight transportation and easing congestion at Panvel Junction in Maharashtra.
The proposed chord line will create a direct rail link between Chikhli on the Karjat route and Somtane on the Roha route, allowing trains to move seamlessly between the two corridors without entering Panvel Junction or requiring engine reversals.
The project is expected to significantly improve freight operations connected to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA/JNPT), which handles nearly 60% of the country's container traffic. By enabling freight trains to bypass Panvel Junct...