South Central Railway (SCR) held a significant meeting with Members of Parliament (MPs) from Maharashtra on September 30, 2024. They discussed ongoing and future railway projects.
The meeting took place at the Divisional Railway Manager’s Office in Nanded. Several MPs, along with senior railway officials, participated in the event. They discussed the progress and needs of the Nanded Division.
Key Attendees
Nine Members of Parliament representing different regions of Maharashtra attended the meeting. Some of the notable attendees included:
- Shri Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani)
- Shri Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli)
- Shri Anup Sanjay Dhotre (Akola)
- Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge (Latur)
- Shri Ashokrao Shankrao Chavan (Rajya Sabha)
The meeting was chaired by Shri Arun Kumar Jain, General Manager of SCR. He was joined by other top railway officials from Nanded, Secunderabad, and Hyderabad divisions.
Discussions on Railway Performance
During the meeting, Shri Arun Kumar Jain presented an overview of the railway’s performance in the Nanded Division. He highlighted improvements in passenger services, freight operations, and the introduction of new trains, including the prestigious Vande Bharat Express.
Some key achievements shared included:
- The commissioning of 81 km of double track between Parbhani and Mudkhed.
- Electrification of almost all rail lines in Maharashtra, except for a few sections still under construction.
- Construction of 16 Road Over Bridges (ROBs). There are 105 Road Under Bridges (RUBs). Additionally, 26 Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) have been constructed in the past decade.
Rail Station Redevelopment
A major focus of the meeting was on station redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The General Manager announced that 20 railway stations in Maharashtra are being redeveloped with a budget of Rs. 1,166 crores. Notable projects include:
- Jalna Railway Station (Rs. 189 crores)
- Aurangabad Railway Station (Rs. 241 crores)
New Projects and Surveys
Several new projects were also discussed during the meeting. These included the sanctioning of a new railway line between Jalna and Jalgaon (174 km) at a cost of Rs. 7,106 crores and the doubling of existing lines like Aurangabad-Ankai and Parbhani-Parli. Additionally, new surveys for lines between Bidar-Nanded and Nanded-Latur are underway.
Feedback from MPs
The MPs expressed their appreciation for the SCR’s efforts. They raised concerns regarding the need for better passenger amenities. MPs also mentioned the need for more train services and additional stoppages for express trains. They also emphasized the importance of accelerating pending projects in their constituencies.
The meeting concluded with SCR officials assuring the MPs. They emphasized that the railway’s developmental plans would continue to focus on improving connectivity and services in the region. The interaction provided a platform for collaboration between SCR and the MPs to enhance the railway infrastructure in Maharashtra.
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