In a significant boost to rail infrastructure in Maharashtra, the Union Cabinet has approved two major railway projects aimed at enhancing capacity, improving connectivity, and promoting economic development. The approved projects include the construction of a fourth railway line between Itarsi and Nagpur, and the doubling of the railway line between Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Parbhani.
Itarsi-Nagpur 4th Line
The Cabinet has cleared the 297 km-long fourth railway line between Itarsi and Nagpur at a cost of Rs 5,451 crore. This strategic project forms a crucial part of the Delhi–Chennai High-Density Network and intersects with the Mumbai–Howrah High-Density Network at Nagpur, significantly enhancing the efficiency of both passenger and freight movement.
With 37 stations, 36 major bridges, 415 minor bridges, 74 Road Under Bridges (RUBs), 2 Road Over Bridges (ROBs), and 4 tunnels, the project will lay 339 km of new tracks. Upon completion, it will facilitate the movement of an additional 10 million tonnes of cargo annually and is expected to save Rs 1,206 crore in logistics costs.
The route traverses key districts including Nagpur in Maharashtra, and Narmadapuram, Betul, and Pandhurna in Madhya Pradesh.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar–Parbhani Doubling: A Lifeline for Marathwada
Also approved is the doubling of the 177 km railway line between Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Parbhani in Maharashtra, at a project cost of Rs 2,179 crore. This route is a vital link for the Marathwada region and currently operates as the only single-line section between Mumbai and Secunderabad. Doubling will improve passenger services and enhance freight efficiency.
The project will include 21 stations, 28 major bridges, 161 minor bridges, and 29 RUBs, adding 224 km of new track. It is estimated to facilitate the additional movement of 14.3 million tonnes of cargo and save Rs 1,714 crore in logistics costs.
Notably, the project connects to the Jalna dry port and goods sheds at Dinagaon and Daulatabad and supports the development of the Aurangabad Industrial City under the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC). It will benefit the districts of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, and Parbhani.
The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar–Parbhani doubling project is expected to yield substantial environmental and economic benefits, including savings of 4.5 crore litres of diesel and a reduction of 77 crore kilograms of CO₂ emissions—equivalent to planting 3 crore trees.
“These ambitious railway projects reflect the government’s commitment to strengthening India’s transportation infrastructure, reducing logistics costs, boosting economic activity, and supporting sustainable development. They are poised to transform regional connectivity and catalyze industrial growth in their respective regions,” said a senior railway official.
