New Delhi, 18 September (H.S.): Indian Railways on Friday approved a project to construct a 38.21-kilometre new railway line between Mukutban (Adilabad) and Gadchandur in Maharashtra at an estimated cost of Rs.493 crore. The project is expected to strengthen rail connectivity in the region and facilitate the movement of freight from major industrial and mining centres.

According to the Ministry of Railways, the Mukutban and Gadchandur areas are important centres for the cement industry, coal mines operated by Western Coalfields Limited and limestone mining. The new railway line is expected to improve rail connectivity to these industrial and mining clusters and make freight transportation more efficient.

The ministry said the proposed line would provide a shorter and more efficient route compared with the existing railway network. This is expected to reduce transportation distance, travel time and logistics costs. The new line will also serve as an alternative route to the Wardha-Manikgarh railway section, helping ease congestion and operational pressure on the existing corridor.

According to the Detailed Project Report, the new railway line is expected to create an annual freight-handling capacity of 6.08 million tonnes once it becomes operational. The project will also facilitate the operation of two MEMU trains in each direction every day, improving passenger connectivity in the region.

The railway line is expected to support the transportation of key commodities, including coal, coke, cement, sponge iron, metal scrap, steel, fertilisers and foodgrains. It will directly connect the coal and cement clusters with the Majri-Nanded railway route, making freight movement towards Jalna, Parbhani, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and other parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka more convenient.

According to the ministry, the project will also help reduce dependence on the Balharshah-Nagpur high-density railway corridor. At the same time, it is expected to improve connectivity for relatively underserved areas of Yavatmal and Chandrapur.

The new rail link is expected to provide logistical benefits to industries and mining operations while supporting greater movement of goods across the region. Improved rail infrastructure could also contribute to industrial activity and broader economic development in parts of eastern Maharashtra.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar