: Mumbai, December 12, 2025

Indian Railways continues to make substantial progress in new line construction and station redevelopment initiatives across Maharashtra, with notable advancement in the Baramati–Phaltan–Lonand new line project, infrastructure improvements at Pune Junction, and large-scale works under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

The Baramati–Phaltan–Lonand (64 km) new line project is being implemented in two phases. In Phase I, covering the Lonand–Phaltan section (38 km), the detailed estimate was sanctioned in 2002 and the line has since been completed and commissioned. Phase II, covering the Phaltan–Baramati section (26 km), was sanctioned in 2016. Following initial resistance regarding alignment, the route was revised in consultation with the State Government and stakeholders. Land acquisition activities commenced upon finalisation of the alignment, and the project was declared a “Special Railway Project” for land acquisition in September 2022, with the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition also appointed in the same month. Of the required 262 hectares of land, 240 hectares have been acquired, and construction has begun on the available land.

A goods shed being developed at New Baramati under this project will significantly aid local farmers by facilitating movement of agricultural produce. The connection to Baramati at Katphal will improve local passenger mobility, while the linkage at Lonand Junction on the Pune–Satara section will strengthen both passenger and freight connectivity towards Pune and Satara. Completion timelines for major railway projects depend on several factors including land acquisition, forest clearances, utility shifting, statutory approvals, geological and topographical conditions, law and order situations, and the number of workable months available at the project site.

Several improvement works have been completed recently at Pune Junction railway station, including upgrades to platform surfaces on platforms 2, 3 and 6, construction of two Divyangjan toilets, improvements to the parcel office, and provision of additional platform shelters. Work is also underway for installation of four lifts, enhancement of circulating areas at both the main and secondary entries, and extension of platforms. Yard remodelling, which includes provision of an additional platform and extension of existing platforms, has been sanctioned.

Pune Junction is among the stations identified for redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Master planning for the station is presently underway, an iterative process requiring optimisation based on local needs. The Scheme envisions long-term, phased development of railway stations with improvements in access, circulating areas, station buildings, waiting halls, toilets, seating, water booths, foot overbridges or concourses, lifts, escalators, ramps, platform surfaces, passenger information systems, parking, multi-modal integration, amenities for Divyangjans, and provisions for local product kiosks under “One Station One Product”. Sustainable features, including environment-friendly solutions and provision of ballastless tracks where feasible, are also part of the long-term framework. Nationwide, 1,337 stations have been identified under the Scheme, of which 132 stations are in Maharashtra, including major stations such as Ahmednagar, Ajni, Akola, Andheri, Bandra Terminus, Bhusawal, Chandrapur, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Dadar (CR and WR), Daund, Dehu Road, Gondia, Jalgaon, Kalyan, Kurla, Lonavla, Mumbai Central, Nashik Road, Panvel, Pune Junction, Solapur, Thane and Wathar.

In Maharashtra, works at 17 stations—including Amgaon, Chanda Fort, Chinchpokli, Devlali, Dhule, Kedgaon, Lasalgaon, Lonand Junction, Matunga, Murtizapur Junction, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Itwari Junction, Parel, Savda, Shahad, Vadala Road, Baramati and Nandura—have been completed under the Scheme, while works at the remaining stations are progressing at a good pace. Around Pune, significant progress has been recorded at Hadapsar, Dehu Road, Chinchwad and Akurdi stations. At Hadapsar, works for a new station building, waiting hall, 12-metre foot overbridge, underground tank, platform shelter, circulating area improvements, illumination and landscaping have been completed. At Dehu Road, the DG room has been completed and works on platform toilet blocks, circulating areas, platform shelters and booking offices are underway. At Chinchwad, one lift and one escalator have been commissioned, and improvements to waiting areas, toilets, parking, platform shelters and booking offices have been undertaken. At Akurdi, works for a toilet block, underground water tank and DG room have been completed, and construction of waiting areas, entry/exit gates, platform surfacing, compound wall, foot overbridge and shelters is ongoing.

Station development works are funded under Plan Head–53 (Customer Amenities), and allocations are maintained Zonal Railway–wise. Pune Junction falls under Central Railway, which has received an allocation of ₹1,292 crore for 2025–26 under this head. Station redevelopment requires statutory clearances including fire, heritage, tree-cutting and airport-related permissions, and progress can be affected by brownfield challenges such as shifting of water and sewage lines, optical fibre cables, power lines, gas pipelines and railway signalling infrastructure. Work must also be carried out without hindering train operations and passenger movement, and in proximity to high-voltage lines where speed restrictions may apply. These factors influence overall timelines.

Indian Railways regularly receives requests and representations from MPs, elected representatives, organisations and rail users regarding introduction of new trains, including Vande Bharat services. These are examined based on feasibility, availability of rolling stock and operational capacity. Pune is currently served by 269 regular train services, including 12 services introduced during 2024–25 and 2025–26 (up to November 2025), such as the Muzaffarpur–Hadapsar Express, Pune–Ajni Vande Bharat Express, Rewa–Hadapsar Express, Jodhpur–Hadapsar Express, Kolhapur–Pune Vande Bharat Express and Hubballi–Pune Vande Bharat Express. Across the network, 164 Vande Bharat chair-car services are operational.

At Hazur Sahib Nanded railway station, improvements to the carriage watering system and waiting hall on Platform 1 have been completed. Hazur Sahib Nanded is also among the 132 stations identified under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in Maharashtra, with master planning currently underway. The Scheme’s objectives and the list of identified stations remain consistent across regions. Nanded Junction falls under South Central Railway, which has received an allocation of ₹863 crore for 2025–26 under Plan Head–53. As with other major stations, redevelopment at Nanded will proceed in phases depending on clearances, technical feasibility and availability of funds.

This information was provided by the Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

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Edgar Coelho/Parshuram Kor

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