The Central Railway has finalised the detailed project report (DPR) for a revised semi high-speed rail corridor linking Pune, Ahilyanagar, Shirdi, and Nashik. This revision comes after Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in January 2025, directed officials to realign the route to avoid interference with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at Khodad, Junnar — an internationally significant research facility.

Engineers from CR’s Pune division conducted fresh surveys and are now finalising the report, which will be submitted to the Ministry of Railways within a week. According to Deputy Chief Engineer Mohit Singh, the project will enhance intercity connectivity and spur regional growth once approved.

The revised 235-kilometre corridor includes a 125-kilometre Pune–Ahilyanagar section running parallel to the existing highway and a newly aligned 82-kilometre Shirdi–Nashik section. Though the new alignment adds approximately 45 minutes to journey time compared to the original route, railway officials have confirmed it avoids technical obstacles and preserves the GMRT zone.

Despite calls from local stakeholders to use the earlier route, which already underwent partial land acquisition in areas like Nashik, Sinnar and Shirdi, the final plan prioritised scientific and technical considerations.

MP Dr Amol Kolhe stated the alignment is viable through elevated tracks or tunnels and will benefit Maharashtra’s industrial workforce and farming communities.