Mumbai, June 8: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has approved 65 railway infrastructure projects in the first phase out of a total of 131 projects proposed by the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MahaRail). The approval was granted during a MahaRail review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister in Mumbai.
Emphasizing the need for safer and more efficient transport infrastructure, Fadnavis directed officials to work towards making Maharashtra completely free of railway level crossings. The projects will include railway overbridges, pedestrian bridges, and road underpasses on roads under the jurisdiction of the Public Works and Urban Development Departments.
The Chief Minister stated that no railway crossing should remain on railway routes across the state. He instructed authorities to prioritize projects on roads with Train Vehicle Unit (TVU) traffic ranging between 25,000 and 100,000 and where land acquisition requirements are minimal, ensuring faster completion and greater public benefit.
With rapid urbanization taking place around railway corridors, the state has planned 80 railway infrastructure projects in urban areas. Fadnavis directed that committees comprising Municipal Commissioners and District Collectors be formed to verify and review the proposed projects before MahaRail undertakes their execution. He said that timely implementation would help provide critical infrastructure to citizens even before demand reaches its peak.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the possibility of future traffic congestion at certain railway overbridges in Nagpur and instructed officials to take preventive measures. He further called for the construction of a new railway overbridge on the Amravati–Badnera route, where the existing bridge has become inadequate for current needs.
To fund these projects, the state plans to secure financial assistance from HUDCO. Fadnavis suggested exploring alternative financing mechanisms to reduce borrowing costs and lower the interest burden on government-funded projects. He also directed officials to expedite the process of bringing MahaRail under the Public Works Department and ensure timely payment for completed works.
Distribution of Proposed Railway Infrastructure Projects
Of the 80 planned urban railway infrastructure projects across Maharashtra:
- Mumbai Metropolitan Region: 17 projects
- Pune: 15 projects
- Nagpur: 13 projects
- Nashik: 5 projects
- Amravati: 5 projects
- Sangli: 4 projects
- Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: 3 projects
- Kolhapur: 3 projects
- Dhule: 3 projects
- Latur: 3 projects
- Parbhani: 3 projects
- Solapur: 2 projects
- Jalgaon: 2 projects
- Ahilyanagar: 1 project
- Nanded: 1 project
The initiative is expected to significantly improve road and rail connectivity, enhance commuter safety, and support Maharashtra’s goal of creating a modern, efficient, and level-crossing-free transport network.
