**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Unstarred Question No. 871, to be answered on 04.02.2026, regarding the approval and progress of railway lines in Maharashtra, specifically addressing the Rate of Return (RoR) for certain lines and the status of the Shrirampur-Parli railway line. The Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, provides the answer. The response details the criteria for sanctioning railway projects and lists projects taken up to improve railway infrastructure in Maharashtra.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Approval Criteria for Railway Projects:**
* Railway projects are sanctioned based on factors including remunerativeness, traffic projections, last mile connectivity, missing links/alternate routes, and augmentation of congested lines.
* Demands from State Governments, Central Ministries, Members of Parliament, public representatives, Railway's operational needs, and socio-economic considerations are also factors.
* Approval also depends on the throw forward of ongoing projects and the overall availability of funds.
* **Railway Infrastructure Improvements in Maharashtra:**
* Belapur (Shrirampur) and Parli are existing stations connected via Ankia, Jalna, and Parbhani.
* Additional connectivity work is underway between Belapur (Shrirampur) and Parli Vaijnath via Beed.
* Sixteen specific railway projects aimed at improving infrastructure in Maharashtra are listed with their respective costs in crores. These include:
* Ahilyanagar (Ahmednagar)-Beed-Parli Vaijnath New Line (261 Km) - ₹4,957
* Baramati-Lonand New Line (64 Km) - ₹1,844
* Wardha-Nanded New Line (284 Km) - ₹3,445
* Indore-Manmad New Line (360 Km) - ₹18,529
* Wadsa-Gadchiroli New Line (52 Km) - ₹1,886
* Jalna-Jalgaon New Line (174 Km) - ₹5,804
* Daund-Manmad Doubling (236 Km) - ₹3,037
* Kalyan-Kasara 3rd line (68 Km) - ₹1,433
* Wardha-Nagpur 3rd line (76 Km) - ₹698
* Wardha-Ballarshah 3rd line (132 Km) - ₹1,385
* Itarsi-Nagpur 3rd line (280 Km) - ₹2,450
* Rajnandgaon-Nagpur 3rd line (228 Km) - ₹3,545
* Wardha-Nagpur 4th line (79 Km) - ₹1,137
* Jalgaon-Manmad 4th Line (160 Km) - ₹2,574
* Bhusawal-Khandwa 3rd & 4th Line (131 Km) - ₹3,285
* Solapur-Tuljapur-Osmanabad New line (95 Km) - ₹2,933
* **Factors Affecting Project Completion:**
* Completion of railway projects depends on various factors including land acquisition, forest clearance, shifting of infringing utilities, and statutory clearances.
* Geological/topographical conditions, law and order, and the number of working months also impact completion.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Government of Maharashtra**
* **Impact:** The State Government's proposals and demands for railway projects are considered in the approval process. The state benefits from improved railway infrastructure and connectivity.
* **Action Required:** Continue to coordinate with the Central Government, address land acquisition and other clearances, and support the ongoing projects.
**Citizens/Public Representatives of Maharashtra**
* **Impact:** Improved railway infrastructure and connectivity can lead to enhanced transportation options and potential socio-economic benefits.
* **Action Required:** Engage with elected representatives and relevant authorities to voice concerns or support ongoing projects.
**Ministry of Railways**
* **Impact:** The ministry is responsible for planning, sanctioning, and executing railway projects based on various criteria and available funds.
* **Action Required:** Monitor project progress, address challenges related to land acquisition and clearances, and ensure effective utilization of funds to meet railway infrastructure goals.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: The primary government body responsible for railway policies and projects.
Maharashtra: The state where the railway lines and works are underway and being improved.
Rate of Return (RoR): A financial metric used to evaluate the viability of railway projects, specifically mentioned as negative for some lines.
Shrirampur-Parli railway line: A railway line that has been pending approval and is the subject of the parliamentary question.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 871
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026
SHRIRAMPUR-PARLI RAILWAY LINE
†871. SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Rate of Return (RoR) of the Ahmednagar-Beed-Parli line
(RoR-5.04), Baramati-Lonand via Phaltan line (RoR-3.22) and Solapur-
Tuljapur-Osmanabad line (RoR-4.35) are negative and despite this, both
the Central and State Governments have approved these railway lines
and work is underway in Maharashtra;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has also approved the Shrirampur-Parli railway
line, pending since the British period, whose RoR is nominally negative
on the same line; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d): Railway projects are sanctioned based on various criteria such
as remunerativeness, traffic projections, last mile connectivity, missing
links and alternate routes, augmentation of congested/saturated lines,
demands raised by State Governments, Central Ministries, Members of
Parliament, other public representatives, Railway’s own operational
requirement, socio-economic considerations etc. depending upon throw
forward of ongoing projects and overall availability of funds.
Contd....2/--:2:-
Belapur (Shrirampur) and Parli are existing stations and are connected via
Ankia, Jalna and Parbhani. Moreover, a work of additional connectivity is
also taken up between Belapur (Shrirampur) and Parli Vaijnath via Beed.
To further improve the Railway Infrastructure in the state of Maharashtra,
following works have been taken up:-
S.No. Name of the project Cost (₹
In
crore)
1 Ahilyanagar (Ahmednagar)-Beed-Parli Vaijnath New 4,957
Line (261 Km)
2 Baramati-Lonand New Line (64 Km) 1,844
3 Wardha-Nanded New Line (284 Km) 3,445
4 Indore-Manmad New Line (360 Km) 18,529
5 Wadsa-Gadchiroli New Line (52 Km) 1,886
6 Jalna-Jalgaon New Line (174 Km) 5,804
7 Daund-Manmad Doubling (236 Km) 3,037
8 Kalyan-Kasara 3rd line (68 Km) 1,433
9 Wardha-Nagpur 3rd line (76 Km) 698
10 Wardha-Ballarshah 3rd line (132 Km) 1,385
11 Itarsi-Nagpur 3rd line (280 Km) 2,450
12 Rajnandgaon-Nagpur 3rd line (228 Km) 3,545
13 Wardha-Nagpur 4th line (79 Km) 1,137
14 Jalgaon-Manmad 4th Line (160 Km) 2,574
15 Bhusawal-Khandwa 3rd & 4th Line (131 Km) 3,285
16 Solapur-Tuljapur-Osmanabad New line (95 Km) 2,933
Contd....3/--:3:-
Completion of Railway project/s depends on various factors which include
the following:
Land acquisition
Forest clearance
Shifting of infringing utilities
Statutory clearances from various authorities
Geological and topographical conditions of area
Law and order situation in the area of project site
Number of working months in a year for particular project site etc.
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