Date: 2026-06-17Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Giving a Major Boost to Freight Transportation, Indian Railways Approves ₹172 Crore Somtane–Chikhli Chord Line Project in Maharashtra to Decongest Panvel Junction
**Executive Summary**
Indian Railways has approved the ₹172 crore Somtane–Chikhli Chord Line project in Maharashtra to bridge a 3.7 km missing link between the Karjat and Roha routes. Announced on June 17, 2026, the project aims to decongest Panvel Junction and reduce freight train detention by approximately 110 minutes. This infrastructure upgrade is designed to enhance logistics efficiency and support the movement of an additional nine million tonnes of cargo per annum.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Project Specifications**
* **Infrastructure:** Construction of a 3.7 km chord line on the Central Railway network.
* **Investment:** The project is approved at an estimated cost of ₹172 crore.
* **Connectivity:** Connects Chikhli on the Karjat route directly to Somtane on the Roha route.
**Operational Improvements**
* **Bypassing Congestion:** Trains will no longer need to enter the busy Panvel Junction, which currently handles traffic from Roha, JNPT, Karjat, and Diva.
* **Eliminating Reversals:** The chord line removes the requirement for time-consuming engine reversals for freight trains.
* **Time Savings:** Freight train detention time is expected to decrease by approximately 110 minutes per journey.
**Strategic Freight Impact**
* **JNPT Support:** The project specifically benefits the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPT), which manages nearly 60% of India’s container traffic.
* **Capacity Increase:** The line is expected to facilitate an additional nine Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) of traffic.
* **Network Synergy:** The project complements the previously approved Panvel Elevated Chord Lines on the JNPT-Karjat and JNPT-Roha sections.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Railways (Central Railway)**
**Impact**
The railway network will see a significant reduction in operational constraints and congestion at Panvel Junction, leading to improved overall network efficiency and capacity augmentation.
**Action Required**
Proceed with the construction and commissioning of the 3.7 km Somtane-Chikhli Chord Line as per the approved plans.
**Freight Operators and Logistics Providers**
**Impact**
Operators will benefit from significantly reduced turnaround times and improved logistics efficiency due to the 110-minute reduction in detention time.
**Action Required**
Reroute freight traffic through the new chord line to bypass Panvel Junction once the link is operational.
**Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPT)**
**Impact**
JNPT will gain a more streamlined rail connection for its container traffic, supporting its role as a major hub for India’s international trade.
**Action Required**
Coordinate with Indian Railways to integrate the increased traffic capacity (9 MTPA) into port logistics and supply chain planning.
Key Entities Referenced
Somtane–Chikhli Chord Line Project: A 3.7 km rail project approved for construction to provide a direct link between the Karjat and Roha corridors, bypassing the congested Panvel Junction.
Indian Railways: The national railway system responsible for approving and implementing the ₹172 crore infrastructure project to boost freight turnaround time.
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPT): India's major container port whose freight traffic is the primary beneficiary of the project's logistics and network efficiency improvements.
Panvel Junction, Maharashtra: A critical railway hub in the Mumbai region identified as a bottleneck that will be decongested by the new chord line to reduce train detention.
Ministry of Railways
Giving a Major Boost to Freight Transportation,
Indian Railways Approves ₹172 Crore Somtane–
Chikhli Chord Line Project in Maharashtra to
Decongest Panvel Junction
New Chord Line to Reduce Freight Train Detention by
Approximately 110 Minutes, Boosting Turnaround Time and
Logistics Efficiency
प्रव तथ: 17 JUN 2026 2:30PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant step towards enhancing rail capacity and improving freight movement in Maharashtra,
Indian Railways has approved the construction of the Somtane-Chikhli Chord Line (3.7 km) on Central
Railway at a cost of ₹172 crore.
The new chord line will bridge a critical missing rail link between Chikhli on the Karjat route and
Somtane on the Roha route. It will provide seamless connectivity between the Karjat and Roha corridors
without requiring trains to enter the congested Panvel Junction or undergo engine reversal.
Decongesting Panvel Junction
Panvel is one of the busiest railway junctions in the Mumbai region, handling traffic from four major
directions including Roha, JNPT, Karjat and Diva. The absence of a direct chord connection between the
Karjat and Roha routes currently results in operational constraints and congestion, as trains are required to
pass through Panvel Junction. The approved chord line will provide a direct connection, helping
streamline train operations and improve network efficiency.
Major Boost for Freight Movement Linked to JNPT
The project is particularly significant for freight traffic associated with Jawaharlal Nehru Port
Authority/Trust (JNPA/JNPT), which handles nearly 60% of India’s container traffic.
At present, freight trains operating between the Karjat, Jasai and Roha corridors are required to enter
Panvel Junction and undergo engine reversals before proceeding further. With the commissioning of the
Somtane-Chikhli Chord Line, freight trains will be able to bypass Panvel, resulting in substantial
operational benefits.
The project is expected to save approximately 110 minutes of detention time per freight train, significantly
improving turnaround time and logistics efficiency.
Additional Traffic Capacity and Network EfficiencyThe new chord line is expected to facilitate movement of an additional nine Million Tonnes Per Annum
(MTPA) of traffic after completion. The project complements the already approved Panvel Elevated Chord
Lines on the JNPT-Karjat and JNPT-Roha sections, completing a crucial missing link in the freight
connectivity network serving western India.
With this approval, Indian Railways continues its focus on capacity augmentation, multimodal
connectivity and development of efficient freight infrastructure to support India's growing logistics and
economic requirements.
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Dharmendra Tewari/ Dr. Nayan Solanki/ Ritu Raj/ Manik Sharma
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