PUNE: Work on the long-delayed Puneyard remodelling project, as well as Hadapsar railway station’s development into a satellite terminus, is expected to begin in full steam with the sanctioning of funds in the UnionBudget.
“After the re-adjustment, the total cost of the Pune yard remodelling project stands at Rs 38 crore. Of this, Rs 31 crore has been granted to the Central Railway. The project can now start without any delay,” arail official told TOI.
The project was first announced in 2018, with a completion period of two years. In early 2021, however, the authorities decided to the plan due to technicalities. A new plan was accordingly drawn, which envisaged extension of three platforms first to accommodate long rake trains.
In connection with the development of Hadapsar railway station, rail officials said of the total project cost of around Rs 47. 87 crore, Rs 21 crore has been sanctioned in the Budget. “The project, which involves developing all aspects of the railway station and making it an alternative to the Pune station, is expected to be completed by 2024. The road in front of the station, which belongs to the rail- ways, will be widened, ” the official said.
On redoubling and electrification work of the 467-km long Pune-Miraj-Londa line, aroundRs 1,567 crorehasbeen sanctioned in the Budget. “Thetotal cost of the project
is around Rs 4,700 crore. The stretch between Pune and Miraj (279km) comes under the Pune division. The doubling and electrification work on around 80km stretch has been completed,” another rail official said.
Some other important CentralRailway projects to receive funds in the Budget include development of Ajni station into a satellite terminus and extension of platforms at CSMT (Mumbai). “Thetotalp lanoutlay (net) for Central Railway in 2022-23 is Rs 7,251 crore, an increase of 50% as compared to 2021-22 outlay.
Funds have also been provided for five new lines and construction of rail overbridges and subways,” the official said.
Rail officials said there was no information on new trains, including the Vande Bharat Specia ls. “While the announcement of more than 400 Vande Bharat trains has been made in the Budget, the railway board will decide if Central Railway will get any,” the official a dded.
