TO SPEED up the ongoing work of gauge conversion of ItwariNagbhid railway line, Union Government has earmarked a sum of Rs 200 crore in the Budget. As this is the joint venture project between Railway Ministry and Maharashtra Government, latter is also going to put up its own share to ensure wrappingup the 116.51 km project by year end, officials opine. The project is being executed by Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (MRIDCL) and currently the UmrerNagbhid section is seeing frenzied construction activity. Officials engaged in the project are confident of completing theconstruction by year end, provided the flow of funds is not interrupted. The project’s execution wasdivided in two section, first Itwari to Umrer, a distance of 51 km, and balance Umrer to Nagbhid65 km, owing to need for forestclearance.

 

The Nagbhid sectionis eco-sensitive as it cuts throughthe Brahmapuri Forest Range, adense corridor involving movement of animals. MahaRail hascompleted work upto Umrer, theremaining work took quite a longtime to take off owing to necessity of seeking clearance fromForest Department to start theconstruction activity. At present, the contractors areengaged in construction of animal underpasses in theBrahmapuri section as part of mitigation measures. About 4 to5 underpasses are being constructed as per guidelines of Forest Department and this is the most critical work that requires some time to complete.

 

Together, their combined length is not more than 5 to 6 km. Once this work is completed, the track laying work would start and since NTC machine is being used for same, it would not require much time to wrap it up. Tracks upto 7 kms ahead of Umrer are already laid and ahead the formation is ready and post underpasses work is complete, the track laying is going to be taken-up, it is learnt. Only the erection of over head equipment (OHE) would take some time, plus the signalling work which takes it own time. There would be total eight stations, including Itwari and Nagbhid and work on them stands completed, including that of the platforms. Apart from that, there would be several passenger halts and they are also complete. Plus two major railway overbridges, including one at Nagbhid is also complete. Total cost of project is now pegged at Rs 2,383 crore with Railways alone footing the bill of Rs 1,400 crore while State share comes to Rs 983 crore. The Railway has allocated Rs 280 crore from capital fund, Rs 280 crores through extra budgetary resources and Rs 840 crore as debt funding for the gauge conversion project. The Itwari-Nagbhid new broad gauge line would speed up the movement of commuters in the hinterland of Eastern Vidarbha and ensure all round development in the area though which the line passes. 

 

 

Inspection by Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS) has held up start of commercial services on Itwari-Umrer 51 km route that is almost completed. MahaRail has already forwarded the papers related to section to the office of CCRS and are awaiting confirmation of date for the track and other assets inspection which is mandatory. Some minor works in the section remains, said officials but once inspection is done they can be completed within a fortnight. MahaRail has also set-up a good depot at Umrer under Gati Shakti scheme, hoping to make full use of the new BG line. The new line could also provide additional route for moving coal from WCL mines in the Chandrapur region to power houses in Nagpur District.