Railway projects aimed at decongesting the clogged network on Mumbai-Howrah and Grand Trunk route passing through Nagpur have not made any substantial progress. The physical development of the commissioned new lines is far from satisfactory, notes the Economic Survey report for year 2021-22 tabled in State Legislature by Maharashtra Government.

The survey has reviewed the various projects which are in various stages in State of Maharashtra. In Nagpur region, the project mentioned in list are Wardha-Nanded via-Yavatmal-Pusad (new line), Itarsi-Nagpur 3rd line, Wardha-Ballarshah 3rd line, Wardha-Nagpur 4th line, Wardha-Sewagram-Nagpur 3rd line.

A 24 km 3rd line undertaken on Bhusawal-Jalgaon section of Central Railway stands completed. The project cost Rs. 325 crores and is meant to ensure faster movement of trains in direction of Pune. With economic activity tickling at faster pace in Mumbai and Pune, maximum trains are running in that direction. However for nearly 50-years Indian Railways did not consider expansion and hence congestion delay movement of trains.

So much so that now the traffic on route has increased manifold that Railways have planned for 4th line on Jalgaon-Bhusawal route for which Rs. 261.37 crores expenditure is expected. As of November 30, 2021, the Economic Survey mentioned that about 55 per cent of work was completed.

Coming back to Nagpur, the works are going on at almost snail’s pace owing to typical style with which Railways work. For example new line work of Wardha-Yavatmal-Nanded did not receive funding though project was identified long back. When actual work began, funds allocation was quite poor and then major time is required for formation and strengthening of embankment on which later tracks are laid. Given the presence of black cotton soil in entire Vidarbha region, the construction pace is quite slow. Even land acquisition process drags on at slow speed, which in effect delays even as new deadlines are set in.

This particular project is of 284 km and is estimated to cost Rs. 3,445 crores. The new line criss-crosses through one of the most backward region of State, the Yavatmal, and once it comes on rail map, development activity could pick-up pace. As per report, the physical progress is however very poor as only 27 per cent work is completed and not even one section is ready for commercial service.

The Itarsi-Nagpur 3rd line is a 280 km project with cost pegged at Rs. 2449.91 crores. Here to only the work in ghat section in Amla-Betul sub-section of Central Railway’s Nagpur Division was completed with priority that allowed some operational flexibility to division. By next year the section from Katol to Nagpur is expected to be completed. As of now only 16 per cent work is over.

The Wardha-Ballarshah 3rd line is of 160 km and cost is estimated at Rs. 1035.16 crores of which jut 25 per cent work is completed on 132 km section. One important commissioning was that of chord line between Sewagram and Sonegaon station that was necessary to allow criss-crossing of trains to Mumbai and Chennai direction.

Another important work in region is that of 3rd and 4th line from Wardha-Sewagram to Nagpur and Wardha to Nagpur, both having 76 kms length. While 3rd line cost is pegged Rs. 540.02 crores, the progress is quite dismal, just 42 kms, 4th line project is estimated to cost Rs. 637.95 crores and so far 36 per cent.

Since both the line are being laid simultaneously the work is going at slow pace. Also there is lingering issue of land acquisition that has delayed the expansion.

When contacted Central Railway's, Nagpur Division spokesperson, V C Thool cited Covid-19 outbreak as one major reason for slow down in new lines construction. For nearly two years the work had come to standstill and further claimed the targets are being regularly monitored by Headquarters and most of it are achieved. Anyway Railways is going to finish of Nagpur region work by year 2025, the deadline for the projects.