Executive Summary:
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 382 regarding the laying of new railway lines in Maharashtra, specifically between Nashik and Pune, and Manmad-Shahpur via Akola and Belapur via Nevasa-Parli Vaidyanath. It outlines surveys and works sanctioned to improve connectivity in these regions. The document does not specify exact timelines for project completion due to the dynamic nature of project sanctioning.
Key Points / Main Content:
Pune-Nashik Connectivity:
* Several works/surveys have been sanctioned to improve connectivity between Pune and Nashik, including new double lines and doubling of existing lines.
* Physical survey work has been completed and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been prepared for:
* Nashik-Sainagar Shirdi New Double Line (82 Km)
* Sainagar Shirdi-Puntamba Doubling (17 Km)
* Puntamba-Ahilyanagar Doubling (77 Km)
* Ahilyanagar-Pune New Double Line (125 Km)
* Project sanctioning requires consultation with stakeholders (including State Governments) and approvals from NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance.
* A DPR prepared by MRIDC for a Pune-Nashik line via Sangamner near Akole was not accepted due to potential interference with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) Observatory.
Belapur-Parli Connectivity:
* To improve connectivity between Belapur and Parli, the following works have been sanctioned:
* Ahilyanagar-Beed-Parli Vaijnath New Line (250 Km)
* Ahilyanagar-Belapur Doubling (67 Km)
Manmad-Asangaon-Shahpur Connectivity:
* Shahpur is near Asangaon station on the Mumbai-Manmad route.
* Surveys have been undertaken for DPR preparation to improve connectivity between Manmad-Asangaon-Shahpur:
* Manmad-Igatpuri 3rd and 4th line (124 Km)
* Igatpuri-Kasara 4th and 5th line (16 Km)
* Kasara-Asangaon 4th line (35 Km)
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Railways:
* Impact: Responsible for planning, surveying, and sanctioning railway projects to improve connectivity in Maharashtra. Needs to address concerns regarding interference with scientific observatories.
* Action Required: Consult with stakeholders, secure necessary approvals, and manage the dynamic process of project sanctioning.
State Governments (Maharashtra):
* Impact: Key stakeholder in railway projects within the state, needing to be consulted during the project sanctioning process.
* Action Required: Participate in consultations, provide necessary support, and coordinate with the Ministry of Railways.
NITI Aayog and Ministry of Finance:
* Impact: Responsible for appraising and approving railway projects.
* Action Required: Review and appraise the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to facilitate project sanctioning.
National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), Pune:
* Impact: Operator of the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) Observatory, whose operations could be affected by new railway lines.
* Action Required: Collaborate with the Ministry of Railways to find suitable alignments that minimize interference with the GMRT.
Key Entities Referenced
Pune: A city in Maharashtra, India; mentioned in the context of proposed railway lines.
Maharashtra: A state in India; relevant as the location of the railway line projects.
Nashik: A city in Maharashtra, India; mentioned in the context of proposed railway lines.
NITI Aayog: National Institution for Transforming India, a policy think tank of the Government of India; mentioned in the context of project approvals.
Ministry of Finance: A ministry of the Government of India, involved in sanctioning of projects.
Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. MRIDC: A Joint Venture company of Government of Maharashtra and Ministry of Railways; prepared a DPR for a railway line between Pune and Nashik.
National Centre for Radio Astrophysics NCRA, Pune: An institution in Pune; its Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope GMRT Observatory is affected by the proposed railway alignment.
Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope GMRT Observatory: An observatory of the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics NCRA, Pune, affected by a proposed railway alignment.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 382
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025
RAILWAY LINE BETWEEN NASHIK AND PUNE
†*382. SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has conducted/proposes to conduct any
survey to lay a new railway line between Nashik and Pune and
Manmad-Shahpur via Akola and Belapur via Nevasa-Parli Vaidyanath in
Maharashtra;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the said railway line is
proposed to be laid; and
(c) the details of the progress made so far in this regard?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 382 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025.
(a) to (c): To improve connectivity between Pune and Nashik, following
works/surveys have been sanctioned:-
S.No. Name of the Work Length
1. Nashik – Sainagar Shirdi New Double Line for 82 Km
preparation of DPR
2. Sainagar Shirdi - Puntamba Doubling 17 Km
3. Puntamba – Ahilyanagar Doubling 77 Km
4. Ahilyanagar- Pune New Double Line for preparation 125 Km
of DPR
The physical survey work for these surveys has been completed and the
Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared.
After firming up of DPR, sanctioning of project requires consultation with
various stake-holders including State Governments and necessary
approvals viz. appraisal of NITI Aayog, Ministry of Finance etc. As
sanctioning of projects is a continuous and dynamic process, exact
timelines cannot be fixed.
To provide connectivity between Pune and Nashik via Sangamner (near
Akole), another DPR was prepared by Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure
Development Corporation Ltd. (MRIDC), a Joint Venture company of
Government of Maharashtra (50%) and Ministry of Railways (50%).
The proposed alignment in the DPR was passing through Narayangaon
where National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), Pune has installed
Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) Observatory.
Contd…2/--:2:-
GMRT has users from 31 number of countries (till 28th Cycle) that uses its
services for scientific observations.
Deptt. of Atomic Energy has advised Ministry of Railways that the
alignment is passing near the GMRT Observatory and will have potential
interference and harmful impact on its operations. As such, this alignment
was not found acceptable due to adverse impact on the GMRT Observatory.
Belapur is an existing station on Manmad – Belapur - Ahilyanagar section.
To further improve the connectivity between Belapur and Parli, the
following works have been sanctioned:-
S.No. Name of the work Length
1. Ahilyanagar - Beed - Parli Vaijnath New Line 250 Km
2. Ahilyanagar - Belapur Doubling 67 Km
Shahpur is about 2.5 Km from existing Asangaon railway station which is
located on Mumbai-Manmad route. To further improve connectivity
between Manmad-Asangaon (Shahpur), following surveys have been taken
up for preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR):-
S.No. Name of the work Length
1. Manmad – Igatpuri 3rd and 4th line 124 Km
2. Igatpuri – Kasara 4th & 5th line 16 Km
3. Kasara – Asangaon 4th line 35 Km
*****