KOLHAPUR (Metro Rail News): A significant step has been taken towards the Kolhapur-Vaibhavwadi rail route as officials suggest its inclusion in the PM Gati Shakti program. This decision was made during the 53rd National Planning Group meeting led by Sumeet Davara, the logistics secretary under the department of industry and trade promotion.
The railways has made a provision of Rs 3,411 crore for the project; however, the approval of the proposal is still pending, according to the officials. The rail route, connecting western Maharashtra with Konkan, was initially approved in 2016. However, progress has been slow since then. According to Shivnath Biyani, a member of the central railway advisory committee, this railway connection is set to improve the linkage between western Maharashtra and Konkan.
This rail route was first announced by former railway minister Suresh Prabhu in the 2016 railway budget. The detailed project report (DPR) was submitted to the railway board in May 2017. After initiating the final route survey in June 2017, the board accepted the DPR in August 2019.
When the Kolhapur-Vaibhavwadi railway line is finished, it will become cheaper and easier to transport agricultural products from western Maharashtra to the port. This will also make it more convenient to move goods from the Konkan region.
