The Maharashtra Government has commenced land acquisition for the 233-km Pune-Nashik semi high-speed rail project. The project is billed as the first low-cost semi high-speed corridor in the country and would cost Rs.160.39 bn. It will see trains running at speeds of 200 kmph, with its design allowing for an upgrade to 250 kmph in future. The project will be developed by the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation, a JV between the Government of Maharashtra and the Ministry of Railways.Contact: Pramendra Jaiswal, ACPM-Project, Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation.Address: 2nd floor, Hoechst House, NCPA Road, Nariman Point, Mumbai-400 021.Tel: 022-6747 7510. E-mail: mumb.cpm@maharail.com Website: www.maharail.com