Indian Railways has given the green light to the Adipur-Bhuj doubling project in Gujarat’s Kutch region at a cost of Rs 493 crore to enhance rail capacity and connectivity. Additionally, the Somtane-Chikhli chord line project in Maharashtra has been approved at a cost of Rs 172 crore to alleviate congestion at Panvel Junction. Following the completion of the 49-km double line project in Gujarat, two extra passenger trains will operate daily in both directions, and around 12 million tonnes of additional freight can be transported yearly on the Adipur-Bhuj section. This initiative is part of Indian Railways’ efforts to expand capacity and cater to the increasing demands of passenger and freight traffic through various network expansion projects nationwide.
Currently, the Adipur-Bhuj section of the Gandhidham-Naliya corridor is a single-line railway route, but various rail projects in the area are underway to boost future traffic levels. These projects, such as the Bhuj-Naliya gauge conversion, extension of the Naliya-Vayar rail line, and construction of new rail lines between Naliya-Jakhau, Vaayar-Lakhpat, and Deshalpar-Luna, are expected to significantly increase both passenger and freight traffic on the Bhuj-Adipur section upon completion. To cater to this anticipated growth and enhance operational efficiency, the doubling of this section has been approved. Similarly, the Central Railway’s Somtane-Chikhli Chord Line Project, spanning 3.7 km and costing Rs 172 crore, will bridge an essential rail link between Chikhli on the Karjat route and Somtane on the Roha route, once completed.
This new line will establish a direct rail connection between the Karjat and Roha corridors, eliminating the need for trains to pass through Panvel Junction or switch engines. Panvel Junction, a bustling railway hub in the Mumbai region, currently serves as a convergence point for rail traffic from Roha, JNPT,Karjat, and Diva. Currently, due to the lack of direct rail connectivity between the Karjat and Roha routes, trains must detour via Panvel Junction, causing operational problems and increasing congestion.
Increased capacity to handle freight traffic
The new chord line will directly connect the two routes, streamlining train operations and increasing the efficiency of the railway network. The new line will enable the capacity to handle approximately 9 million tons of additional freight traffic annually. Furthermore, each freight train will save approximately 110 minutes of travel time, significantly improving freight transport speed and logistics efficiency.
This project is particularly important for freight traffic involving the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA). JNPA handles approximately 60 percent of the country’s container traffic. Currently, freight trains operating between the Karjat, Jasai, and Roha routes must change engines at Panvel Junction. Once the new chord line is operational, freight trains will be able to bypass Panvel directly, providing significant operational benefits.
Indian Railways has also approved the reconstruction of the Road Over Bridge (ROB), known as the Classical Bridge, located in the Indore yard in Madhya Pradesh, at a cost of Rs 139 crore. The bridge will improve the city’s transportation system and strengthen rail and road connectivity.
The project has been sanctioned under the Road Over Bridge, Road Under Bridge and other infrastructure development programmes of Indian Railways to enhance safety and traffic flow at railway crossings.