In a significant move aimed at boosting rail infrastructure, enhancing freight capacity and improving network efficiency, Indian Railways has approved two key projects worth a combined ₹665 crore in Gujarat and Maharashtra. The projects include the doubling of the Adipur–Bhuj rail section in Gujarat’s Kutch region and the construction of the Somtane–Chikhli Chord Line in Maharashtra.
According to an official statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Railways has sanctioned the ₹493 crore Adipur–Bhuj Doubling Project and the ₹172 crore Somtane–Chikhli Chord Line Project as part of its ongoing capacity augmentation programme to support growing passenger and freight traffic across key economic corridors.
Adipur–Bhuj Doubling to Boost Kutch Connectivity
The 49-km Adipur–Bhuj doubling project on the Western Railway network is expected to significantly strengthen rail connectivity in Gujarat’s Kutch region, a strategically important area witnessing rapid infrastructure and industrial development.
Currently operating as a single-line section on the Gandhidham–Naliya corridor, the Adipur–Bhuj route is projected to experience substantial traffic growth due to several railway projects under implementation in the region. These include the Bhuj–Naliya gauge conversion, extension of the Naliya–Vayor line, and new rail links connecting Naliya–Jakhau, Vayor–Lakhpat and Deshalpar–Luna.
Once completed, the doubling project will enable the operation of two additional passenger train services in each direction daily while facilitating an additional freight movement capacity of around 12 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) on the route.
Railway officials said the project has been approved to ensure sufficient line capacity, improve operational efficiency, reduce congestion and accommodate future traffic demand arising from ongoing rail infrastructure developments across Kutch.
The project is expected to strengthen connectivity to ports, industrial zones and emerging economic centres in the region, supporting both passenger mobility and cargo transportation.
Maharashtra Chord Line to Ease Panvel Congestion
Indian Railways has also approved the construction of the 3.7-km Somtane–Chikhli Chord Line on Central Railway at an estimated cost of ₹172 crore.
The new rail link will connect Chikhli on the Karjat route directly with Somtane on the Roha route, creating a crucial missing connection in the Mumbai metropolitan rail network.
At present, trains travelling between the Karjat and Roha corridors are required to pass through the heavily congested Panvel Junction and often undergo engine reversal, resulting in delays and operational inefficiencies.
Panvel Junction serves as one of the busiest railway hubs in the Mumbai region, handling rail traffic from four major directions—Roha, Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT), Karjat and Diva. The absence of a direct chord connection between the Karjat and Roha routes has long been identified as a bottleneck affecting freight and passenger operations.
The approved chord line will allow trains to bypass Panvel Junction, providing seamless movement between the two corridors and significantly improving network fluidity.
Freight Capacity and Logistics Benefits
The Somtane–Chikhli Chord Line is expected to facilitate an additional freight movement of approximately 9 MTPA upon completion.
A major operational advantage of the project will be the reduction of freight train detention time by around 110 minutes per train. This is expected to improve wagon turnaround, reduce transit times and enhance overall logistics efficiency for cargo moving through Maharashtra’s industrial and port-linked rail network.
Railway authorities noted that the project will particularly benefit freight flows connected to JNPT and other industrial clusters by enabling faster and more direct train operations.
Strengthening Rail Infrastructure
The approvals form part of Indian Railways’ broader strategy to expand network capacity through doubling, tripling and other infrastructure enhancement projects across the country. These investments are aimed at supporting rising freight demand, improving passenger services and strengthening multimodal logistics connectivity.
With the Kutch region emerging as an important industrial and logistics hub and Maharashtra’s rail network handling some of the country’s busiest freight corridors, both projects are expected to play a vital role in improving rail efficiency, supporting economic growth and enhancing supply chain performance.
