Indian Railways has approved a Rs 493-crore project to build a new 38.21-km rail line between Mukutban and Gadchandur. The project falls under the South Central Railway zone. It aims to improve connectivity for both passengers and freight.
Mukutban is located in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district. Gadchandur lies in neighbouring Chandrapur district.
Both areas are important industrial and mining centres. They are home to cement plants, coal mines and limestone mines.
Shorter route to ease freight movement
The new line will create a shorter rail route between the two locations.
It is expected to reduce travel distance and transportation time. The shorter route could also help lower associated transportation costs.
The project will provide an alternative route to the existing Wardha-Manikgarh section. This could help ease congestion on the existing railway network.
According to the Detailed Project Report, the line is expected to handle 6.08 million tonnes of freight annually after commissioning.
It will also support two MEMU trains in each direction every day.
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Coal, cement and steel among key freight
The proposed line is expected to carry several types of freight.
These include coal and coke, cement, sponge iron and metal scrap. Iron and steel, fertilisers and foodgrains are also expected to use the route.
The line will connect the region’s coal and cement clusters with the Majri-Nanded route.
This will provide shorter freight routes towards several destinations.
These include Jalna, Parbhani and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The connectivity will also extend towards other destinations in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Alternative to congested Balharshah-Nagpur route
The project is also expected to reduce dependence on the Balharshah-Nagpur High-Density Network route.
The route is currently an important corridor for railway traffic.
The new line will add another corridor for freight movement. It will also improve rail connectivity in parts of Yavatmal and Chandrapur.
Push for regional industrial growth
The new railway line is expected to add capacity to the regional network.
It will support the movement of essential commodities and industrial goods. The additional route could also improve utilisation of the existing railway network.
For the industrial and mining clusters around Mukutban and Gadchandur, the project is aimed at providing more efficient rail connectivity.
Indian Railways expects the new infrastructure to support growing freight and passenger requirements in the region.
