The union government has reiterated its commitment to the development and expansion of the railway network in Maharashtra. Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the significant progress achieved in recent years through enhanced budgetary support, faster project execution, and comprehensive station redevelopment initiatives.

He noted that investment in Maharashtra’s railway infrastructure has increased manifold over the last decade. While the annual outlay during 2009–14 averaged Rs.1,171 crore, it has risen more than 20 times to Rs.23,778 crore in 2025–26, enabling major expansion and modernisation works across the State.

The details of commissioning/laying of new track falling fully/partly in Maharashtra during 2009-14 and 2014-25 is as under:

During 2009-14, 292 new tracks were commissioned with an average of 58.4 kms/tracks commissioned per year. As against this, during 2014- 25, 2292 km new tracks were commissioned with average commissioning of 208.36 km/year ie; more than 3 times.

As on 01.04.2025, 38 projects (11 New Lines, 02 Gauge Conversion and 25 Doubling), of a total length of 5,098 km, costing Rs 89,780 crore, falling fully/partly in Maharashtra, are sanctioned.

Some of the main projects falling fully/partly in the Maharashtra which have been taken up are as under:

Ahilya Nagar-Beed – Parli Vaijnath new line (261 km) –Rs 4956 Cr

Baramati-Lonard new line (64 km) –Rs 1844 Cr

Wardha –Nanded new line(284 km) – Rs 3445 Cr

Indore- Mnamad new line (360 km)-Rs 18,529 Cr

Wadsa Ghadchiroli new line (52 km)- Rs 1886 Cr

Jaln- Jalgaon new line (174 km) – Rs 5804 Cr

Daund- Manmad doubling (236 km) –Rs 3037 Cr

Kalyan –Kasara 3rd line (68km)- Rs 1433 Cr

Wardha Nagpur 3rd line (76 km) -Rs 698 Cr

Wardha –Ballarshah 3rd line (132 km)- Rs 1385 Cr

Itarsi –Nagpur 3rd line (280km) Rs 2450 Cr

Rajnandgaon- Nagpur 3rd line (228 km) - Rs 3545 Cr

Wardha Nagpur  4th line (79 km) - Rs 1137 Cr

Jalgaon – Manmad 4th line (160 km) Rs 2574 Cr

Bhusawal –Khandwa 3rd and 4th line (131 km) –Rs 3285 Cr

Further, during  the last three years (2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25) and the current financial year (2025-26), 98 surveys (29 New Line, 2 Gauge Conversion and 67 Doubling) of total length 8,603 Km falling fully/ partly in Maharashtra have been sanctioned.

Vaishnaw also highlighted that upgradation and renewal of tracks is a continuous and ongoing process. Track renewal is carried out as per the laid-down criteria based on age, traffic carried, condition, etc. During 2025–26 (up to Nov ’25), about 5,100 km of track renewals have been completed, including in the State of Maharashtra. During 2014–25 (up to Nov ’25), about 52,000 track km has been renewed.

Railway infrastructure projects falling fully or partly in the State of Maharashtra are covered under Central Railway, South Central Railway, South East Central Railway, South Western Railway and Western Railway zones of Indian Railways. The length of tracks replaced during the current year 2025–26 (up to Nov ’25) in these zonal railways is as under:

Central Railway – 271

South Central Railway – 505

South East Central Railway -196

Western Railway -345

South Western Railway – 155  

Station development:
The ministry of railways has launched Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for redevelopment of stations with a long-term approach. The scheme involves preparation of master plans and their implementation in phases to improve the stations. The scheme also envisages sustainable and environment friendly solutions, provision of ballastless tracks etc. as per necessity, phasing and feasibility and creation of city centre at the station in the long term. So far, 1337 stations have been identified for development under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, out of which 132 stations are located in the state of Maharashtra.

Development works at railway stations under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in Maharashtra has been competed in 17 stations - Amgaon, Baramati, Chanda Fort, Chinchpokli, Devlali, Dhule, Kedgaon, Lasalgaon, Lonand Jn, Matunga, Murtizapur Jn, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Nandura,  Itwari Junction, Parel, Savda, Shahad, Vadala Road

Progress at Key Railway Stations in Maharashtra
The Minister also reported steady progress at several station redevelopment sites across Maharashtra, with major works nearing completion:

• Wathar Station
Significant infrastructure upgrades have been completed, including:
– Construction of a new portico
– Improvements to the station building and entrance lobby
– Installation of a water booth and new main entry gate
– Development of parking and circulating areas
– Construction of a compound wall for the parking zone
– Platform improvements, including surfacing and a new shelter on Platform No. 1
– Upgrades to waiting rooms, signage, and station illumination
Finishing works are currently underway.

• Nandgaon Station
Major redevelopment components have been completed, such as:
– New entrance and exit gates
– Platform surfacing and shelter installation
– Upgraded station building and booking office
– Enhanced Foot Over Bridge and boundary wall
– Improved circulating and parking areas
– Installation of new signage and lighting
Finishing works are in progress.

• Hadapsar Station
A comprehensive set of upgrades has been delivered, including:
– Construction of a new station building and waiting hall
– Installation of a 12-metre Foot Over Bridge
– Provision of an underground water tank
– Platform shelter and surfacing improvements
– Enhanced circulating area and station illumination
– New signage, lifts, escalators, and landscaping
Finishing activities are currently being carried out.