Indian Railways has approved two major infrastructure projects in Maharashtra worth a combined ₹990 crore, aimed at expanding rail capacity, strengthening freight corridors, improving passenger connectivity and supporting industrial development across the state.
The projects include the doubling of the 10.86-km Chouk–Karjat section of Central Railway at a cost of ₹497 crore and the construction of a 38.21-km new railway line between Mukutban (Adilabad) and Gadchandur in South Central Railway at ₹493 crore.
The approvals are part of the Railways’ broader efforts to enhance network capacity, ease congestion and create more efficient routes for passenger and freight traffic.
Chouk–Karjat Doubling to Increase Train Capacity
The 10.86-km Chouk–Karjat section is part of the Panvel–Chouk–Karjat route, an important railway corridor serving both passenger and freight movement. Since the existing stretch is a single-line section, its doubling is expected to provide additional capacity and improve the operational flexibility of trains.
The project has been approved under umbrella works covering railway capacity augmentation through doubling, tripling, quadrupling, flyovers and bypasses.
Once completed, the doubled Chouk–Karjat section is expected to facilitate five additional passenger trains in each direction every day. The enhanced infrastructure is also projected to support an additional 18.35 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight traffic.
The additional line is expected to improve train movement and help reduce the detention of freight trains, thereby supporting more efficient utilisation of the existing railway network.
₹493 Crore New Rail Line to Connect Industrial Hubs
The second project involves construction of a 38.21-km new railway line between Mukutban in Yavatmal district and Gadchandur in Chandrapur district at an estimated cost of ₹493 crore.
Both Mukutban and Gadchandur are important industrial and mining centres. The region is home to cement manufacturing units, coal mines operated by Western Coalfields Limited and nearby limestone mines.
The new railway line is expected to strengthen connectivity to these industrial clusters and provide a more efficient rail network for the movement of raw materials and finished products.
Shorter Route to Boost Freight Movement
The Mukutban–Gadchandur line will provide a shorter rail route, potentially reducing transportation distance, travel time and associated logistics costs.
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The project will also create an alternative route to help decongest the existing Wardha–Manikgarh section, allowing freight traffic to be distributed more efficiently across the railway network.
According to the Detailed Project Report, the new line is expected to support approximately 6.08 MTPA of freight traffic after commissioning. It is also planned to facilitate two MEMU trains in each direction every day, strengthening passenger connectivity in the region.
The freight carried through the corridor is expected to include coal and coke, cement, sponge iron, metal scrap, iron and steel, fertilisers and foodgrains, among other commodities.
Direct Link to Majri–Nanded Route
The new line will provide direct connectivity between the coal and cement-producing cluster and the Majri–Nanded route.
This connectivity is expected to facilitate shorter freight leads for coal, cement and RMSP traffic towards Jalna, Parbhani, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and other destinations in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
By providing a more direct route, the project is expected to improve freight logistics and enable more efficient movement of industrial commodities across the region.
Reducing Pressure on Balharshah–Nagpur Route
Another key objective of the Mukutban–Gadchandur project is to reduce dependence on the congested Balharshah–Nagpur High-Density Network (HDN) route.
The additional corridor will strengthen rail connectivity in parts of Yavatmal and Chandrapur that have comparatively limited rail infrastructure. Improved connectivity is expected to support the movement of essential commodities while creating better logistical access for industrial centres.
Major Push for Maharashtra’s Rail Infrastructure
Together, the two projects represent a ₹990 crore investment in Maharashtra’s railway infrastructure. While the Chouk–Karjat doubling focuses on increasing capacity on an existing passenger and freight corridor, the Mukutban–Gadchandur project will create a new route connecting important mining and industrial areas.
The projects are expected to contribute to better utilisation of railway infrastructure, increase freight-handling capacity, improve passenger services and provide alternative routes for traffic currently concentrated on busy sections.
The approvals underline Indian Railways’ continued focus on capacity expansion, network decongestion, stronger regional connectivity and more efficient passenger and freight movement. The new infrastructure is also expected to support industrial activity and wider economic development across Maharashtra by improving access to major production and consumption centres.
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