Kolhapur-Vaibhavwadi Rail Route in PM Gati Shakti Program

Officials have proposed the inclusion of the much-awaited Kolhapur-Vaibhavwadi rail route in the PM Gati Shakti program. The decision emerged from the 53rd National Planning Group (NPG) meeting, chaired by Sumeet Davara, the logistics secretary under the Department of Industry and Trade Promotion.The rail route, linking western Maharashtra with Konkan, received initial approval in 2016. However, the project has encountered sluggish progress since then. A provision of Rs 3,411 crore has been allocated by the railways for the route, although the proposal is pending approval.The rail connection is anticipated to foster increased connectivity between western Maharashtra and Konkan, with substantial benefits for both passenger and freight transportation. Shivnath Biyani, a member of the central railway advisory committee, emphasised that the route's establishment will not only facilitate passenger movement but also make the transportation of various goods more cost-effective and secure.Former railway minister Suresh Prabhu had initially announced this route in the 2016 railway budget. Subsequently, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the route was presented to the railway board in May 2017. Following this, Prabhu initiated a final route survey, leading to the acceptance of the DPR by the board in August 2019.However, due to the presence of a ghat section, officials have indicated that the 28-kilometre long section will undergo a resurvey. This resurvey aims to optimise the curve distance on the track, ensuring safer and efficient rail operations.Incorporating the Kolhapur-Vaibhavwadi rail route into the PM Gati Shakti program is poised to uplift rail infrastructure, augment connectivity, and support regional development objectives, facilitating smoother movement of people and goods across the Maharashtra-Konkan region.