CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR (Metro Rail News): Around 90% of the land required for the Nanded-Wardha rail route has been successfully acquired, a crucial development in bridging the railway gap between Marathwada and Vidarbha regions. The 284.6km rail project, with a financial outlay of Rs 3,445.8 crore, has recently commissioned its first station.
The Nanded-Wardha rail line necessitates a total land acquisition of 2,139 hectares, and a substantial portion, approximately 1,912 hectares, has already been secured. Efforts to acquire the remaining 227 hectares are ongoing, according to the Central Railway (CR) spokesperson.
The completion of this new rail connection is poised to substantially enhance connectivity between Marathwada’s Hingoli and Nanded and Vidarbha’s Wardha, Yavatmal, and Washim districts. Beyond connectivity, it is expected to boost socio-economic development in these regions.
The funding for this project is divided, with the Indian Railways bearing 60% of the cost and the state government covering the remaining 40%. Additionally, the Deoli station, located 15km from Wardha, was inaugurated on August 25.
The CR authorities have reported that the Wardha-Deoli-Bhidi-Kalamb section, covering 38.6km, is nearing completion. To date, 35 major bridges have been successfully constructed along the route, and work on 79 minor bridges and road underbridges is also over.
Highlighting the importance of expediting the Wardha-Nanded rail project, railway activist Gautam Nahata emphasized its potential to stimulate socio-economic development in both the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions, which have been historically considered underdeveloped.
