Union Cabinet had approved a 309-km rail line project between Mumbai and Indore, with a total cost of Rs 180.36 billion, expected to be completed by 2028-29. A spokesperson from Indian Railways mentioned that the project would not only connect the commercial hubs of Mumbai and Indore via the shortest rail route but also link previously unconnected areas in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, passing through two districts in Maharashtra and four in Madhya Pradesh.
The proposed new line between Indore and Manmad would reportedly provide direct connectivity and enhance mobility. The project would involve the construction of 30 new stations, improving access to Barwani, an aspirational district, and providing connectivity to approximately 1,000 villages, benefiting a population of about 30 lakh. According to the spokesperson, the project would offer direct connectivity to the Pithampur Auto Cluster, which hosts 90 large units and 700 small and medium industries, linking them to the gateway port of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and other state ports. The project would also facilitate the distribution of produce from millet-producing districts in Madhya Pradesh and onion-producing districts in Maharashtra to northern and southern regions of the country.
Furthermore, this rail route was identified as crucial for transporting commodities such as agricultural products, fertilisers, containers, iron ore, steel, and cement. The capacity augmentation was expected to generate additional freight traffic of approximately 26 million tonnes per annum.
Additionally, the project was anticipated to boost tourism to various sites in the Ujjain-Indore region, including the Sri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple. The project was said to be part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which aimed at providing multi-modal connectivity through integrated planning and ensuring seamless movement of people, goods, and services.
