Pune-Nashik Semi High-Speed Rail: A New Path for Progress

Central Railway (CR) has completed the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the revised semi high-speed rail corridor connecting Pune, Ahilyanagar, Shirdi, and Nashik, following a directive from Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in January 2025.

The revision was necessitated by concerns over the original alignment's proximity to the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at Khodad, Junnar—an internationally important research facility. CR’s Pune division engineers conducted fresh surveys to determine a technically sound and GMRT-safe route.

“Final revisions are being made to the DPR and it will soon be submitted for approval,” said Mohit Singh, Deputy Chief Engineer, CR (Pune). Once cleared, the project is expected to boost intercity connectivity and drive regional economic development across Maharashtra.

The updated corridor will span 235 km—including 125 km from Pune to Ahilyanagar and 82 km from Shirdi to Nashik. While the new alignment may extend travel time by approximately 45 minutes, it offers a more feasible and unobstructed path. Despite calls to retain the original route—where land acquisition had already begun—the revised alignment prioritizes scientific infrastructure protection.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.