Boost to Industry, Education, and Tourism in Maharashtra
Nagpur: Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Minister of Railways spoke on the proposed Pune–Nashik high-speed corridor, with a revised route alignment designed to strengthen connectivity between two of Maharashtra’s most important economic and cultural centers—Nashik and Pune
This was in reply to suggestions made in the Lok Sabha on the Proposed Nashik-Pune Hi-speed project.
According to an earlier proposal, the route proposed was via Narayangaon, passing near the The GMRT(Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope) - an International Observatory Project made operational by contribution of 31 countries. This route was not feasible as stated by Dept of Science & Technology and Dept of Atomic Energy, a railway line passing near the observatory will cause disturbances in the observations.
Following detailed discussions with the Government of Maharashtra, local representatives, and technical experts, the Railways have proposed an alternate alignment that avoids the GMRT zone, ensuring protection of the international scientific facility while advancing major infrastructure development in the region.
The new alignment connects:
Nashik → Sainagar Shirdi → Puntamba → Nimblak → Ahilyanagar → Pune (via Chakan Industrial Estate).
Current status and proposed works on this revised route include
• A Detailed Project Report(DPR) for Doubling of lines between Nashik Road and Sainagar Shirdi is ready.
• Rs.240 crores have already been sanctioned for the work of Doubling between Sainagar Shirdi - Puntamba line (17 kms)
• Work of Doubling of 80 kms Puntanba-Nimblak line is already complete.
• Work of Doubling of 6 kms Nimblak-Ahilyanagar is already in progress
• Rs.8970 crore DPR for New Double lines between Ahilyanagar and Pune (133 kms) connecting Chakan Industrial Estate is also prepared.
This route ensures small travel-time difference from the earlier plan and simultaneously enhances connectivity for communities along the corridor.
Benefits:
Boost to Pilgrimage, Historical, and Cultural Tourism:
The new alignment links Nashik, a heritage and religious city with Sainagar Shirdi, one of the country’s most prominent pilgrimage sites and also with Pune a historical city which was the Capital of the Maratha Empire during the Peshwa Rule.
Improved connectivity will benefit:
• Religious tourism to Shirdi, Trimbakeshwar, and the Pandharpur route
• Historical and cultural tourism linked to Pune’s forts and heritage sites
• Rural tourism and local handicraft industries along the corridor
• Visitors, pilgrims, and tourists will experience smoother, faster, and safer travel across these culturally significant destinations
Boost to Industrial and Economic Growth:
The corridor will significantly benefit the various industries falling in the belt, especially the Chakan Industrial Estate, a fastest-growing manufacturing hub, known for automobile, electronics, and engineering industries.
Direct rail connectivity will:
• Improve freight movement and reduce logistics costs
• Attract new industrial investments
• Support expansion of MSMEs and supply-chain clusters
• Strengthen the region’s position as a national manufacturing powerhouse
Educational and Urban Development:
Pune and Nashik are both rapidly emerging as an industrial and educational hubs,
*Faster inter-city connectivity will*:
• Enable greater student mobility
• Strengthen academic and skill-development collaboration
• Support the growth of knowledge-driven and technology-based sectors
• Promote balanced urban development across the corridor
The Hon’ble Railway Minister also said that Under the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Vision of connecting all modes, Gati Shakti Multimodal Cargo Terminal initiative was launched by Railways and presently 130 terminals across India are already operational.
Under the same policy a lot can be done for the development of these two cities and a team comprising of Officials from State Govt, Members of Parliaments, Railways and Local authorities can discuss development of the proposed areas.
The proposed Pune–Nashik alignment represents a major step forward in Maharashtra’s infrastructure development. By connecting two major metropolitan regions, enhancing access to Chakan and other industrial belts, and strengthening tourism and educational mobility, the project aligns with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of modern, integrated, and future-ready transportation for India.
