The Hon’ble Railway Minister, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw,The Ministry of Railways has approved the 1.73 km Miraj Chord Line project, which aims to boost railway connectivity in Western Maharashtra. The Rs. 128.78 crores project will reduce time travel of passengers and freight trains, will decongest the area and accelerate operational efficiency.
Introduction:
The Minister of Railways has approved the Miraj Chord Line Project, paving a way towards the advancement of Western Maharashtra’s railway line. The 1.73 km line will play a crucial role in revolutionising connectivity in the Western Maharashtra, it will minimise congestion, ease railway operations and increase the rail network across the area.
In a significant development for the rail infrastructure of Western Maharashtra, the Hon’ble Minister of Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, has approved the long-awaited Miraj Chord Line Project, to be implemented under Central Railway. With an estimated investment of Rs. 128.78 crores, the 1.73 km line will play a critical role in easing rail operations and enhancing network capacity at Miraj Junction, a major interchange station.
Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade:
The Miraj Chord line project is sanctioned as a part of broader initiatives like Flyover, Bypass Line Capacity Augmentation and Multi-tracking project. The Ministry has approved this project to enable smooth train movement at the rail corridors including-
- Miraj–Pune
- Miraj–Londa
- Miraj–Kolhapur
- Miraj–Pandharpur
Currently, trains arriving from Kurduwadi or Hubballi and proceeding toward Kolhapur face operational hurdles, with average detention times of up to 120 minutes due to engine or brake van reversal required at Miraj. This not only leads to delays but also reduces overall operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction.
The major challenge around the area will be eradicated by the new chord line. It will provide a direct route for the train movement, the travel time of train journey between Miraj and Kolhapur will be reduced significantly. The freight movement between Southern and Western zones will accelerate, in turn enhancing the operational efficiency.
Passenger and Freight Advantages:
The implementation of this project will fulfil a long-standing demand of local passengers and freight operators alike. The faster turnaround will-
- Reduce travel time of express and local trains in the region.
- Better connectivity for industrial zones in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
- Facilitate economic development through faster freight movement.
- Enable increased train handling capacity at Miraj Junction.
This investment is seen as part of a wider push by Indian Railways to strengthen regional infrastructure, remove congestion, and meet future traffic demands through technological and infrastructural upgrades.
Regional Development Impetus:
The Miraj region, located near the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka, is a major transport hub. Accelerating rail efficiency here is not just a matter of infrastructure, but also an economic growth catalyst, particularly for areas like Kolhapur, Sangli, and adjacent districts. Better rail logistics will support local industries, agricultural transport, and tourism, leading to broad socio-economic growth.
Conclusion:
The Miraj Chord Line project got approved by the Ministry of Railway, a move towards advanced rail infrastructure in Western Maharashtra. The line will solve several problems to provide efficient rail operations and better rail network by improving connectivity in the area. It will enhance passengers satisfaction, optimize freight logistics, and support regional growth by faster, more efficient rail movement.
Source: Central Railway – Press Release | Image Credit (representational): MoR
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