India’s longest railway viaduct project is being constructed on war footing by West Central Railway in Katni. Even after the challenging pandemic period, the 35-km-long grade separator is being constructed with 17.8-km-long viaduct, 3.2-km retaining wall and 13.9-km earthwork.

The grade separator has total 676 pillars/abutments, 8 rail over bridges (ROR) and 6 major bridge construction which is first of its kind for the Indian Railways.

WCR administration is paying special attention on maintaining quality of material and utmost use of advanced construction techniques and equipment. Total 2.6 lakh cubic metre concrete and 37,000 metric tonne structural steel are being used for construction of country’s longest railway viaduct grid separator in Katni with a budget of Rs 1,250 crore.

Till now, 92 per cent work has been completed with construction of 1,445 of 1,570 foundation in up-side while 99 of total 264 pillars have been constructed. Similarly, total 1,831 of total

2,585 foundation and 86 of total 412 pillars have been constructed in down-side. Total 25 percent of the project has been completed and the project is estimated to be completed in 2023-24. The project will bring pace in trains operation between Bina-Katni block, additional rail line will be available to connect Katni-Bilaspur and Singrauli while provide a by-pass in busy area of Katni, New Katni and Katni Mudwara stations. Increasing freight loading will save time of freight trains and increase revenue.