Four major railway infrastructure projects have been approved for Madhya Pradesh under the Pradhan Mantri Gatishakti Master Plan. Spanning a total of 565 kilometres and involving an estimated investment of Rs 242.08 billion, these projects are expected to substantially improve rail connectivity and increase both freight and passenger capacity across key routes in the state.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the approval of these projects on Thursday during a video conference.

One of the most significant initiatives is the construction of a new Manmad–Indore rail line, which will cover 309 kilometres at a cost of Rs 180.36 billion. This new corridor will create a crucial rail link connecting the Madhya Pradesh districts of Indore, Dhar, Khargone and Barwani with the Nashik and Dhule districts of Maharashtra. The development is aimed at facilitating regional growth and improving mobility across the region.

To strengthen freight movement, the Bhusaval–Khandwa section is set to be upgraded with the addition of third and fourth rail lines along a 131-kilometre stretch, at an estimated cost of Rs 35.14 billion. This enhancement is anticipated to ease congestion and make goods transportation more efficient.

In the eastern part of the state, the Prayagraj (Iradatganj)–Manikpur third rail line project will span 84 kilometres and cost Rs 16.40 billion. This line is expected to improve connectivity for the Rewa region, linking it with Chitrakoot and Prayagraj in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, thereby enabling faster and smoother transit of both passengers and freight.

Another important development is the expansion of the Ratlam–Nagda section, where third and fourth lines will be laid over a 41-kilometre stretch at a cost of Rs 10.18 billion. This section is a strategic junction for trains traveling in all directions, and the doubling of lines is projected to bring down the line utilisation rate from 116 to 65 per cent. This upgrade is likely to significantly improve operational efficiency and strengthen Madhya Pradesh’s linkage with western ports such as Kandla, Mundra, Pipavav, Hazira and Dahej, benefiting both industry and agriculture in the region.

The project will also involve the modernisation of six stations—Ratlam Junction, Bangrod, Rankheda, Khachrod, Beravanya and Nagda Junction. Additionally, the infrastructure plan includes the construction of 70 Foot Over Bridges (FOBs), five major bridges, three railway over bridges (ROBs), and 15 under bridges. The route will be equipped with advanced safety and signalling systems, including the "Kavach" technology, and will support train operations at speeds of up to 160 km/h.

Introduction of Three New Trains

To further enhance rail connectivity in the state, three new train services have been introduced. The Rewa–Pune Express will provide a direct rail link from Rewa to Pune via Jabalpur, offering a convenient long-distance option for passengers from the Vindhya region to Maharashtra.

The Jabalpur–Raipur Express, running through Nainpur and Gondia, is expected to facilitate travel between the Mahakaushal region and Chhattisgarh, enhancing speed and passenger comfort.

Additionally, the Gwalior–KSR Bengaluru City Express will connect Gwalior with Bengaluru via Guna and Bhopal, fulfilling a long-standing demand for a direct train service between Madhya Pradesh and southern India.

News source: The Free Press Journal