Central Government has allocated Rs 27,300 crore for State of Maharashtra to upgrade the rail infrastructure as part of vision of next 50 years. Giving the break-up during a media interaction of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday, said, the allocation is one of the highest in recent years and in next two to three years, travellers would notice the change in the way they travel with Indian Railways.

 

The focus, apart from augmentation of railway tracks, is on enhancement of facilities at railways stations. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also present during the media interaction that was held at Mumbai. Fadnavis said, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, about Rs 1.73 lakh crore has been infused in Maharashtra rail infrastructure in last 10 years compared to mere Rs 10,000 lakh crore of combined investment in State during Congress-led UPA Government’s rule. Giving description of the railway projects, the Railway Minister said that of the important projects is development of Hadapsar Depot at Pune which is part of augmentation of capacity in major cities of country. This project will help in increasing number of services to Pune that is now major centre of education and

 

IT sector and within next 60 months, it will be ready. Further, he informed that about 132 railway stations in Maharashtra are taken-up for redevelopment under Amrit Bharat scheme and some are being upgraded with world class amenities. They are part of 1300 stations pan-India that are undergoing transformation to gel with emerging modern India. This is the biggest railway project in the world and Vaishnaw underlined a fact that the development work is being carried out in live stations which is a major feat.

 

To a question, Railway Minister said for running service during rainy season in Mumbai, a patented technology is developed that allows smooth functioning of route relay signalling. Even under 1.5 feet of water, the signal system will operate allowing smooth movement of rail points that allows for criss cross movement of trains. Fadnavis also said that Railway Minister has given assent for introduction of rail services linking forts and places connected with Chhatrapati Shivaji Shahaji Bhosle Maharaj and it would be iconic project.