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Time of India

New route for Pune-Nashik semi-high-speed rail project away from GMRT: Railway minister

Pune: Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday that the new alignment of Pune-Nashik semi-high-speed rail corridor is now ready and the same has been sent to the Maharashtra government for approval. Vaishnaw, who was in Pune for the inauguration of two trains, said, "The GMRT (Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope) is a very important facility and 24 countries have come together and formed this facility. It cannot be interfered with as any interference will stop the progress of humanity. Therefore, we have finalised an alternative route and sent it to the Maharashtra government for approval. Once it is approved, the work will start." You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune He said that Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited had taken shortcuts to create the first DPR of the project. "Had they considered the observatory (GMRT) before preparing the first DPR, which was cancelled, this problem wouldn't have happened. They took some short cuts which shouldn't have been taken," Vaishaw told newspersons. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Upto 15% Discount for Salaried Individuals ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo Earlier this month, Vaishnaw had assured that the route of the project would be realigned. Shirur MP Amol Kolhe and former minister and NCP leader Chagan Bhujbal had been opposing the realignment of the railway corridor. Asked about the new realigned route, Vaishaw said, "These details will be announced very soon right after it is approved by the state government. The original route alignment of the project was designed to provide connectivity via Sinnar, Sangamner, Narayangaon, Manchar and Chakan." The GMRT is located along the original alignment at Khodad, around 80km north of Pune. Vaishnav added that special care was being taken for development of Pune rail division and the Pune railway station. "We had promised a few months ago that a master plan will be readied to double the capacity of the Pune station. It is now ready. Stations like Hadapsar, Alandi, Shivajinagar, Uruli, Khadki and Pune are included in the plan. Not just Pune, the same is being planned for other cities in Maharashtra as well," the minister said. He said that planning was being done seriously for development of Pune railway station. "Pune is a big city and needs more platforms. I have instructed the officials to set up stabling lines in other stations and not Pune, and focus on increasing the number of platforms. Some additional land needed for the station's development and I have been informed by Rail Land Development Authority that the land is in their possession now," the minister said. He added that the detailed project report of the third and fourth line between Pune and Lonavla was ready. "The work will now gain pace. The state government will approve the same soon following which we will place it before the central cabinet for approval. Also, the DPR of a direct rail line between Pune and Ahmednagar is ready. It will be a double line and I have studied it and instructed officials to ensure that less land is acquired for the same and they should explore it," he said. Vaishnav added that 900 modern kitchens where food would be prepared for trains were being constructed. "Of these, 550 kitchens are ready. Live kitchens in trains are risky as a fire can happen any time. All the kitchens will be ready by the end of this financial year," he said.