New 309 Km Railway Line to Connect Mumbai and Indore by 2028-29

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a significant railway project aimed at enhancing connectivity between Indore and Manmad. This initiative, with a budget of approximately Rs. 18,036 crore, is expected to be completed by 2028-29. The new railway line will span 309 km, covering six districts across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, and will include the construction of thirty new stations. This development is part of the PM-GatiShakti National Master Plan, which focuses on multi-modal connectivity through integrated planning. The project is designed to improve mobility and efficiency, facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services. It will connect around 1,000 villages and serve a population of approximately 30 lakhs, significantly enhancing access to various regions. The railway line is anticipated to boost tourism, providing a shorter route to central India and increasing visitor numbers to key sites, including the Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Ujjain. Moreover, the railway line will directly link the Pithampur auto cluster, which houses numerous large and small industries, to the JNPA's Gateway Port and other state ports. This connection is expected to streamline the distribution of goods, particularly from millet-producing districts in Madhya Pradesh and onion-producing districts in Maharashtra, across the northern and southern regions of the country. Overall, this railway project represents a significant investment in infrastructure that aims to enhance regional connectivity, promote economic growth, and improve the overall quality of life for residents in the affected areas.