Kolhapur-Vaibhavwadi Rail Route in PM Gati Shakti Program
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

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.

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.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Coal Ministry Achieves Milestones under Special Campaign 5.0

The Ministry of Coal and its Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have achieved notable milestones under the Special Campaign 5.0, focusing on cleanliness, operational efficiency, and sustainability across the coal sector. During the implementation phase from 2–31 October 2025, over 1,205 sites were cleaned, covering 68,04,087 sq ft, nearing the target of 82,51,511 sq ft. Scrap disposal of 5,813 MT against a target of 8,678 MT generated Rs 228.7 million in revenue. In addition, 1,11,248 physical and 30,331 electronic files were reviewed, with 74,123 weeded out or closed. Key initiatives showc..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Vesting Orders Issued for Three Coal Blocks under Commercial Auctions

The Ministry of Coal’s Nominated Authority has issued vesting orders for three coal blocks under commercial coal block auctions on 23 October 2025. The Coal Mine Development and Production Agreements (CMDPAs) for these mines were earlier signed on 21 August 2025. The three blocks include Rajgamar Dipside (Deavnara), Tangardihi North, and Mahuagarhi. Of these, two are partially explored while one is fully explored, with a combined peak rated capacity of around 1 MTPA and geological reserves of approximately 1,484.41 million tonnes. These mines are expected to generate annual revenue of abou..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

TEC, IIT-Hyderabad Partner to Boost 6G and Telecom Standards

The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad) for joint research and technical collaboration in advanced telecom technologies and standardisation. The partnership focuses on developing India-specific standards and test frameworks for next-generation networks, including 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs). It also aims to enhance India’s participation in international standardisation f..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?