Railway Ministry Orders Inspection Of Pune-Nashik Semi-High Speed Railway Route | X/@RajabhauW
Nashik MP Rajabhau Waje had sent a letter to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw regarding the route of the Pune-Nashik semi-high speed railway project. Responding to the letter, the Railway Ministry has instructed the concerned department to conduct a thorough investigation into the route of this project.
Waje sent the letter to Vaishnaw on February 3, raising concerns regarding the route. He mentioned in the letter that the route of this project should be Nashik–Sinnar–Pune, which was first proposed. He also demanded that the interests of farmers should be considered while deciding the route of this project. He further demanded that the new route, proposed through Shirdi, should not be considered.
Replying to Waje’s letter, Vaishnaw wrote, “The concerned department has been directed to conduct a detailed inquiry into the construction of the Nashik-Pune Semi High-Speed Railway Project.”
This decision by the Railway Ministry is expected to alleviate some concerns of Nashikites regarding the project’s route. Waje expressed hope that the interests of farmers will be considered while deciding the route of this project.
The route was originally planned to pass via Nashik–Sinnar–Sangamner–Pune, but a sudden change in the route triggered strong opposition from locals and political leaders. The central government decided to alter the route due to the presence of the Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope (GMRT) project in Junnar taluka. The route was altered to Pune-Ahilyanagar-Shirdi-Nashik, leading to strong protests from residents of Nashik, Sinnar, Sangamner, Alephata, Narayangaon, Kalamb, Manchar, Rajgurunagar and Chakan. Many demand that the railway should follow the original Sangamner route.
MLC Satyajit Tambe, MP Dr Amol Kolhe, MP Bhaskar Bhagare and other political leaders strongly opposed the revised route, stating, “A railway route like Nashik-Shirdi-Ahilyanagar-Pune is impractical and will defeat the purpose of reducing travel time between Pune and Nashik. It will not benefit any taluka on the Pune-Nashik corridor.”
Waje had taken a firm stand at that time, assuring that the project will proceed as per the previous route. At the time he had mentioned, “The Nashik-Pune Semi-High-Speed Railway project has been pending for many years. I had four positive discussions with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw regarding this, and he was supportive of the Nashik-Sangamner-Narayangaon-Chakan route. However, after learning about the technical difficulties, I will meet the minister again and insist that the railway should follow the proposed route.”
Now, as the Railway Minister has assured an inquiry in this matter, hopes have reignited in Nashikites. The railway is an ambitious project for commuters of Nashik and Pune, especially youngsters who are working and aspiring to work in the emerging IT city of Pune.
