Centre sanctions Rs 250 crore for Kolhapur-Vaibhavwadi rail route

KOLHAPUR: The Central government in its railway budget for 2017-18 has allotted Rs 250 crore to initiate the first phase of Kolhapur-Vaibhavwadi rail route.
The demand for the rail route was pending since the last 25 years and was approved in 2016’s railways budget. The total cost of the project — to lay railway tracks and set up stations along the 107-km stretch — is around Rs 3,000 crore.
The project was approved after two teams of experts surveyed the route and gave a report to the central government. The south Maharashtra region will be connected to Konkan region and will help boost business activities in the undeveloped parts of the region.
Speaking about this development, Member of Parliament (MP) Dhananjay Mahadik said, “The substantial provision of the funds will help start the work in coming days. The region will witness boost in activities such as tourism and trade. For the first time, the region will be connected to Konkan through rail. We will ensure that the work begins as early as possible and completes in the stipulated time period.”
According to experts, the region will be benefitted by the development of Jaigarh port which once developed will be Asia's largest port. The connectivity to Jaigarh will be easily extended.
The Konkan Railway has signed an agreement with the port's management that will help in laying a railway line from the port to nearby Digni railway station which can be further connected to Vaibhavwadi station.
A senior railway official, requesting anonymity, said, “The rail route will help benefit villages and town located along 650-km periphery of the line. We are awaiting further communication from the ministry. The phased wise plan for developing the rail route was submitted ahead of the budget to the ministry and accordingly the funds were sanctioned.”
Meanwhile, the railways have approved to develop a rail route between Hatkanangale to Ichalkaranji. The 8-km rail route will bring the textile town of Ichalkaranji on the railway map for the first time.
Hatkanangale is located along the route of Kolhapur to Miraj. According to railway officials, an industrial circuit can be developed along the rail routes from Ichalkaranji to other towns after the region is connected to Konkan region and export-based activities can also be planned along the circuit.