Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Railways addresses questions regarding the Wardha-Akola-Bhusaval section third and fourth line construction project. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) is under preparation following a sanctioned Final Location Survey (FLS). Project sanctioning requires stakeholder consultation and approvals, with timelines dependent on dynamic factors. The project aims to enhance capacity, connectivity, and economic activity in the Vidarbha and Khandesh regions, utilizing the PM Gati Shakti Institutional mechanism for planning and execution.
Key Points / Main Content:
Project Overview:
* The Final Location Survey (FLS) has been sanctioned for the Bhusaval-Akola-Wardha 3rd/4th line (314 km).
* The Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared following the completion of the physical survey.
Project Approval and Timelines:
* Project sanctioning involves consultation with State Governments and necessary approvals from NITI Aayog, Ministry of Finance, etc.
* Exact project timelines cannot be fixed due to the dynamic nature of the sanctioning process.
Project Benefits:
* Enhances line capacity and provides additional passenger and freight traffic.
* Enables faster movement of goods and services.
* Reduces operational bottlenecks and improves logistics efficiency.
* Increases direct and indirect employment opportunities.
* Develops the tourism industry and increases industrial activities in the region.
Gati Shakti Integration:
* Indian Railways is using the principles of Gati Shakti in project planning.
* On-ground surveys and route alignments are done using the PM Gati Shakti Institutional mechanism (BISAGN).
* This approach aims to improve DPR quality and reduce project costs.
Factors Affecting Completion:
* Quick land acquisition by State Government
* Forest clearance by forest department officials
* Shifting of infringing utilities
* Statutory clearances from various authorities
* Geological and topographical conditions of area
* Law and order situation in the area of projects site
* Number of working months in a year for particular project site.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments:
* Impact: Required to be consulted during the project sanctioning phase.
* Action Required: Facilitate quick land acquisition for the project.
NITI Aayog and Ministry of Finance:
* Impact: Involved in providing necessary approvals for the project.
* Action Required: Appraise and approve the project proposal.
Residents of Vidarbha and Khandesh regions:
* Impact: Potential beneficiaries of improved connectivity, increased employment opportunities, and enhanced economic activity.
* Action Required: No immediate action required; benefit from improved infrastructure upon project completion.
Indian Railways:
* Impact: Responsible for project planning, execution, and integration of Gati Shakti principles.
* Action Required: Expedite appraisal, sanction, and execution of the project, adhering to Gati Shakti guidelines.
Key Entities Referenced
Wardha-Akola-Bhusaval section: Railway section for which the construction of third and fourth lines is proposed.
SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE: Member of LOK SABHA who asked the question regarding the railway project.
RAILWAYS: The ministry responsible for the railway project in question.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology who provided the answer to the LOK SABHA question.
NITI Aayog: A policy think tank of the Government of India involved in the appraisal of the railway project.
Ministry of Finance: Government ministry involved in approving the railway project.
Vidarbha: A region in the state of Maharashtra, India, that will be impacted by the railway project.
Khandesh: A region in Maharashtra, India that will be impacted by the railway project.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4593
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025
STATUS OF WARDHA-AKOLA-BHUSAVAL SECTION
4593. SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the current status of the Detailed Project Report (DPR)
for the construction of the third and fourth lines on the Wardha–Akola–
Bhusaval section;
(b) the expected timeline for completion of the project considering the
results of the DPR examination;
(c) whether the project has received all necessary environmental and
statutory clearances and if so, the details thereof and if not, the
reason therefor along with the current stage of approval;
(d) whether the fund has been sanctioned for the project and if so, the
details thereof along with the estimated cost of the project as per the
DPR; and
(e) the details of the possible impact on travel time and connectivity in
the Vidarbha and Khandesh regions upon completion of the project?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (e): Final Location Survey (FLS) for Bhusaval – Akola - Wardha 3rd & 4th
line (314 km) has been sanctioned for preparation of Detailed Project
Report (DPR). The physical survey been completed and the DPR has been
prepared.
Contd…2/--:2:-
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.
The project will enhance line capacity, provide additional passenger and
freight traffic, enable faster movement of goods and services, reduce
operational bottlenecks, improve logistics efficiency, increase in direct and
indirect employment opportunities for the people of the region, develop
tourism industry and increase industrial activities in the region.
Indian Railways has immediately imbibed the principles of Gati Shakti in its
project planning process, expediting appraisal, sanction and execution of
projects. On ground survey, route alignment, deciding alternative route to
avoid passing through forest and wildlife areas, connectivity to ports,
mines, collieries is done through PM Gati Shakti Institutional mechanism
developed by BISAG-N. This has led to enhancement in the quality of
preparation of Detailed Project Report and reduction in project cost.
Now survey of all New Line, Gauge Conversion and Doubling projects are
taken up under PM Gati Shakti Institutional mechanism developed by
BISAG-N for the development of multimodal connectivity infrastructure to
various Economic Zones with an objective to have integrated planning,
enhanced logistics efficiency, first and last mile connectivity, throughout
enhancement and remove gaps for seamless movement of people, goods/
commodities i.e. agricultural products, fertilizers, coal, iron ore, steel,
cement, limestone etc.
Contd…3/--:3:-
Completion of Railway project/s depends on various factors like quick land
acquisition by State Government, forest clearance by officials of forest
department, shifting of infringing utilities, statutory clearances from
various authorities, geological and topographical conditions of area, law
and order situation in the area of project/s site, number of working months
in a year for particular project site etc. All these factors affect the
completion time and cost of the project/s.
****