First they focussed on decongestion of 60 corridors on Pan-India network. Now Railways is sharpening its outlook to boost regional connectivity. So to broaden the rail footprint in Central India, Railways is taking up final location survey (FLS) for three important new lines that would deepen inter-connect between different regions. The three planned corridors identified by local officials include, Salwa to Butibori (52 km) on East-West-South link of Indian Railways, Pandhurna to Saunsar (35 km) on Northern link, and Pulgaon to Warud (95 kms) on the West route. The new surveys are follow-up on the earlier primary findings that showed enough potential for the new traffic plus future growth. With uptick in economic activity, railways plans to expand the network by taking up linkage with nearby areas as same would bring more area under railway map.

 

The FLS will provide the actual picture on the ground, the land that would be needed, how much is vested with railway and one that needs to be acquired, the number of stations that would come-up on the new corridors and their locations. Also most importantly the final survey also pegs the cost of laying the new lines. Mostly likely these corridors would figure in the next Railway Budget. As to Salwa-Butibori, the new line is proposed in the first instance for providing a dedicated corridor for movement of goods rake. The immediate benefit would Nagpur Railway Station from where movement of goods train will reduce drastically. Currently, about 66 trains, majority of them are goods trains, crisscross between Central Railway and South East Central Railway’s Nagpur Divisions.

 

The interchange points are Itwari and Kalamna stations from where they reach Nagpur Yard. Explaining the point, Krishnath Patil, Sr Divisional Operations Manager (Sr. DoM), Central Railway, Nagpur Division, the plan is to decongest Nagpur Yard. The new 52 kms of new corridor would likely to be a double line corridor, and it would take off from Salwa, it lies ahead of Kanhan on Howrah route, and exit at Butibori. Initially planned as a goods corridor, but as mentioned earlier that it could be a double line corridor, the Railways might also utilise it for running Mail/Express trains. As per primary survey, there could be possibility of four stations on the new corridor, he added. Means the new corridor could by-pass Nagpur station and Railways is keen to push long distance trains to suburban stations. As to Pandhurna-Saunsar, the new line would help connect with Chhindwara route ahead, said Patil. The same line taking off from Itarsi route could help in connecting internal hinterland of Madhya Pradesh. At present only road connectivity is available for the 35 km section. With rail connectivity the region stands to benefit as they would be linked with national grid.