Wardha-Yavatmal-Nanded railway line steams ahead

 Media Coverage  |  10-04-2025

Tunnel, bridges, stations taking shape on the vital stretch

The Central Railway’s Nagpur Division is witnessing significant progress on the new Kalamb-Yavatmal railway line, a critical component of the broader 284km Wardha-Yavatmal-Nanded broad gauge (BG) project.

The initiative aims to revolutionize regional connectivity and spur economic growth in the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions of Maharashtra.

Central Railway officials said civil and structural works are advancing rapidly. Of the 36 major bridges along the alignment, 30 are already completed, 3 are in final stages, and work on the remaining 3 is underway. For the 14 minor bridges, 3 are completed, 2 are in progress, and 9 will commence soon.

A standout engineering feature is a 2,900-metre tunnel between Binola and Karli, where 1,300 metres of drilling has been completed—a major milestone. Among 10 planned road over bridges (ROBs), most are done, 3 are under construction, and one is pending forest clearance.

Earthwork between Kalamb and Yavatmal is around 80% complete, with the remainder progressing steadily. Station infrastructure is also shaping up. Talegaon station building is complete, with platform and retaining wall works nearing completion. The cover over platform (COP) foundation is also ready.

In Yavatmal, the station building is under construction, and two platforms are being built. Additional infrastructure—two COPs, a foot over bridge (FOB), and another ROB—are in the pipeline. Staff housing and administrative buildings are seeing rapid development. Talegaon has completed slab work for eight Type-II quarters, while Yavatmal boasts slab completion for 35 Type-II, 4 Type-III, and 2 Type-IV quarters. Finishing work are ongoing. The Assistant Engineer’s office building slab is also done.

“The rapid pace of construction is part of our commitment to timely complete this key infrastructure project, which will improve passenger movement, enhance freight capacity, and bolster regional development,” said officials. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off a completed 39km section between Wardha and Kalamb on February 28, 2024. This segment is part of the broader Wardha-Yavatmal-Nanded BG line, expected to bring socio-economic benefits to students, traders, farmers, and daily commuters. It also holds promise for boosting freight traffic, particularly cotton, food grains, steel, and iron ore.

Railway officials said the delay was due to land acquisition. Of the required 2,139 hectares, 1,911 hectares (89%) have been acquired, with efforts underway to secure the remaining 227 hectares. Inadequate funding over the years also delayed progress. However, the Union Budget 2024–25 allocated ₹750 crore for the project, providing fresh momentum. The project is being implemented on a 60:40 cost-sharing basis between Indian Railways and the Maharashtra government. It was accorded ‘special status’ in 2016 to expedite development.

Out of the revised project cost of ₹3,445 crore, more than ₹1,700 crore has already been spent. Once completed, the railway will not only ease road congestion between key towns but also act as a catalyst for inclusive development in two of Maharashtra’s most underserved regions.

Project to be a game-changer:

Dr Vijay Darda

The ambitious Wardha-Yavatmal-Nanded railway project, set to be a game-changer for the underdeveloped regions of Vidarbha and Marathwada, has been the cherished dream of chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media Group and former member of Rajya Sabha Dr Vijay Darda. For over three decades, Dr Darda has relentlessly championed this visionary initiative, striving to bring equitable development to the heart of Maharashtra. His steadfast efforts bore fruit when the project was officially announced in February 2008.

In a landmark moment the following year, then Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav performed the groundbreaking ceremony in Yavatmal in February 2009. Despite the initial momentum, progress on the project had been sluggish. Refusing to let the vision fade, Dr Darda recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express concerns over the project’s slow pace. He also engaged in consistent correspondence with the Prime Minister to expedite its progress. As a result of his sustained advocacy, the project has now reached its final stages from Wardha to Yavatmal, rekindling hope for economic revival and enhanced connectivity in the region

View Image