Indian Railways has approved the construction of a new 38.21 kilometer long rail line between Mukutban (Adilabad) and Gadchandur under the South Central Railway. This project, costing approximately ₹493 crore, aims to enhance rail connectivity in the region, facilitate smoother freight transportation, and reduce the load on existing rail routes.
This rail line will provide improved rail connectivity to the important industrial and mining areas of the Yavatmal and Chandrapur districts. Several cement plants, as well as Western Coalfields Limited’s coal mines and limestone quarries, are located in this region.
The new line will provide an alternative and relatively shorter rail route, expected to reduce transportation distance, time, and cost. Additionally, it will help alleviate the freight traffic burden on the Wardha-Manikgarh section and the Balharshah-Nagpur high-density network.
According to the Detailed Project Report, the line is projected to handle 6.08 million tonnes of freight annually once operational. This will include commodities such as coal and coke, cement, sponge iron, metal scrap, iron and steel, fertilizers, and food grains. The project also envisages running two MEMU services daily in each direction.
The new rail line will provide direct connectivity to coal and cement clusters via the Majri-Nanded route. This will help facilitate the transportation of goods to Jalna, Parbhani, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and other destinations in Maharashtra and Karnataka. The project is expected to strengthen rail connectivity in the relatively less connected areas of Yavatmal and Chandrapur and support industrial activities in the region.
(PIB)
