MRIDCL submits revised DPR for Pune-Nashik high-speed rail

The Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (MRIDCL) has submitted a revised railway track alignment plan for the proposed Pune-Nashik high-speed train in the Khed tehsil.

The land acquisition in Khed tehsil for the proposed Pune-Nashik high-speed rail project was put on hold after the defence department asked the district administration to revise the railway track alignment in the original detailed project report (DPR), reasoning that it passed via an explosive destruction army facility.

Defence estates officer of the Pune circle, Vineet Nair, told the media that there was a problem regarding railway track alignment. So now, a recently revised alignment has been submitted by the MRIDC, and after going through it, it will suggest a further process.

According to an official, the railway line in the actual DPR was passing via the army’s explosive destruction facility.

As per the official, the defence department was first approached on March 7, 2022, for approval to build on land under it through the office of the defence estates officer (DEO). Upon receipt of the land requirement from MRIDCL, the first joint survey was conducted as early as March 11, 2022.

On March 16, 2022, a joint meeting with MRIDCL officials was held, in which it was conveyed to the MRIDCL officials that the demolition activities conducted on the army facility posed danger to the suggested railway alignment.

MRIDCL officials then understood the requirement for changing the suggested railway alignment. On April 19, 2022, they submitted a fresh proposal with the revised railway track alignment, after the second joint inspection was held on April 18, 2022. Now, the proposal is under process based on the revised alignment.

The Pune district collector, Rajesh Deshmukh, said the defence and the railways are operating on the revised alignment of 10 villages in Khed. The problem is not big and will be finalised soon. The project is likely to be finished on time.

The 235 km Pune-Nashik railway line will pass via the Ahmednagar, Pune, and Nashik districts.

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