A 66-km long broad gauge line between New Ashti and Ahmednagar was inaugurated and a DEMU train service was flagged off between the two stations in Maharashtra. The New Ashti-Ahmednagar broad gauge line is a part of the 261 km Ahmednagar-Beed-Parli Vaijnath line project, which has been undertaken on 50-50 cost sharing between the Central and state governments.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde attended the function virtually through a video link, while deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Minister of State for Railways Raosaheb Danve and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Shinde said the railway line will transform the Marathawada region. He further said that the state government is extending the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Highway up to Gadchiroli-Bhandara.