{"id":4752,"date":"2025-08-02T07:46:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-02T07:46:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/railtravels.org\/?p=4752"},"modified":"2025-08-02T07:46:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-02T07:46:08","slug":"new-broad-gauge-railway-line-between-akola-khandwa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/new-broad-gauge-railway-line-between-akola-khandwa\/","title":{"rendered":"New Broad Gauge Railway Line between Akola-Khandwa"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

New Broad Gauge Railway Line between Akola-Khandwa<\/strong><\/p>\n

Modification of Akola Yard as part of Gauge Conversion Work between Akola-Khandwa<\/strong><\/p>\n

South Central Railway has carried out an extensive modification of Akola Station Yard to facilitate connection to the new Broad-Gauge railway line under construction between Akola and Akot stations, part of Akola \u2013 Khandwa Gauge Conversion Project. Akola Station is an important junction in the Marathwada region connecting Wardha towards East, Bhusaval towards West, Purna towards South and Khandwa towards North direction and the station falls under Central Railway jurisdiction.<\/p>\n

The present Metre gauge line which connects Akola and Khandwa directly passing through a thick forest is under gauge conversion and the entire stretch comes under the purview of South Central Railway. Akola \u2013 Khandwa Gauge conversion project is sanctioned in the year 2008-09 for a distance of 174 Kms with a sanctioned cost of Rs 2067 crore and the gauge conversion work on the entire stretch has been taken up by the Zone.<\/p>\n

The execution work of the entire project is divided into 3 phases \u2013<\/p>\n

1. Akola-Akot-43 Kms<\/strong><\/p>\n

2. Akot-Amlakhurd-77 Kms<\/strong><\/p>\n

3. Amlakhurd-Khandwa-54 Kms<\/strong><\/p>\n

The gauge conversion work between Akola-Akot is nearing completion, while Works are in progress in the remaining phases.As part of gauge conversion work, Akola station yard has been modified and accordingly one new loop line has been laid down in addition to the existing three lines (one main line and two loop lines). Non interlocking work has been carried out for a period of 3 days from 26th to 28th June, 2025 in order to connect the newly laid loop line with the existing lines and also with the new Broad-gauge line under construction towards Akot as a part of gauge conversion between Akola \u2013 Khandwa.<\/p>\n

Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, South Central Railway has complimented Construction department Officials and Nanded Division on successful completion of Akola yard modification duly coordinating with Central Railway officials. He also thanked the Officers and staff of Central Railway for extending cooperation time to time in execution of the work. General Manager opined that the modification of Akola station yard paves the way for smooth execution of Gauge conversion work and also helps in enhancement of rail connectivity in Marathwada region with Madhya Pradesh.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an updated overview of the Akola\u2013Khandwa Broad Gauge (BG) Railway Line<\/strong> conversion project\u2014its current status, major milestones, environmental considerations, and key challenges.<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83d\udee4\ufe0f Project Overview<\/h2>\n
    \n
  • The Akola\u2013Khandwa meter-gauge (MG) line<\/strong> (~176\u202fkm long) in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh is being upgraded to broad gauge<\/strong>\u2014part of the wider Akola\u2013Ratlam gauge conversion<\/strong> (473\u202fkm), sanctioned in 2008\u201309 at \u20b92,067 crore.<\/li>\n
  • It\u2019s divided into three phases:\n
      \n
    1. Akola \u2192 Akot<\/strong> (44\u202fkm)<\/li>\n
    2. Akot \u2192 Amlakhurd<\/strong> (~78\u202fkm; through Melghat Tiger Reserve)<\/li>\n
    3. Amlakhurd \u2192 Khandwa<\/strong> (~54\u202fkm)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n

      \u2705 Completed Section: Akola \u2192 Akot (44\u202fkm Broad Gauge)<\/h2>\n
        \n
      • Commissioned successfully by July 2025<\/strong>, with:\n
          \n
        • Reconstruction of 38 minor bridges, 2 major bridges<\/strong><\/li>\n
        • Five station upgrades, road underbridges, level crossing elimination, and yard remodeling at Akola<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
        • Operational for regular passenger and goods services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          \n

          \ud83d\udc05 Sensitive Stretch: Akot \u2192 Amlakhurd (via Melghat Reserve)<\/h2>\n
            \n
          • This ~78\u202fkm segment traversed 38\u202fkm within the Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR)<\/strong>, including 18\u202fkm in the core zone<\/strong>\u2014raising serious environmental concerns.<\/li>\n
          • The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)<\/strong> and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)<\/strong> initially rejected the original alignment in 2025. Subsequently, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray urged the Railway Ministry to adopt a different route<\/strong> to protect the reserve.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            \n

            \ud83d\udd04 Alignment Change Approved (2025)<\/h2>\n
              \n
            • In August 2025<\/strong>, MoEFCC\u2019s Regional Empowered Committee approved a new alignment<\/strong> bypassing the MTR, avoiding forested habitats.<\/li>\n
            • The diverted route<\/strong> passes via Akot \u2192 Hiwarkhed \u2192 Sonala \u2192 Jalgaon Jamod \u2192 Usarni<\/strong>, adding ~29\u202fkm and includes:\n
                \n
              • A 6.5\u202fkm tunnel<\/strong> across the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh border<\/li>\n
              • Nearly 50 hectares of forest land diversion<\/strong><\/li>\n
              • New stations at Sonala, Jalgaon Jamod, Usarni, and Khaknar; older stations (e.g., Barhekhed, Dhulkhod) to be decommissioned<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                \n

                \ud83d\udcca Summary Table<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
                Phase<\/th>\nDistance<\/th>\nStatus<\/th>\nNotes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
                Akola \u2192 Akot<\/td>\n44\u202fkm<\/td>\nCompleted<\/strong><\/td>\nBG line active since July 2020; station and infrastructure upgraded<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                Akot \u2192 Amlakhurd<\/td>\n~78\u202fkm<\/td>\nEnvironmental hold<\/strong><\/td>\nOriginal alignment through Melghat Tiger Reserve canceled<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                Revised Alignment Path<\/td>\n~107\u202fkm<\/td>\nApproved Aug 2025<\/strong><\/td>\nBypasses MTR with new tunnels and stations; delaying work<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                Amlakhurd \u2192 Khandwa<\/td>\n~54\u202fkm<\/td>\nYet to start<\/strong><\/td>\nAwaiting surveys and approvals<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
                  \n
                • Project Cost<\/strong>: \u20b92,067\u202fcr originally sanctioned; chief minister\u2019s office support in 2025 and conversions estimate \u20b96,383\u202fcr total by mid\u20112025<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                  \n

                  \ud83c\udf0d Environmental & Community Impact<\/h2>\n
                    \n
                  • The new diversion avoids fragmentation of the tiger reserve and mitigates wildlife risk. WII recommended this for long-term ecological protection.<\/li>\n
                  • Adding 29\u202fkm to the alignment offers improved connectivity for ~100 villages<\/strong> around Buldhana district, enabling access to broader markets and mobilization.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                    \n

                    \ud83e\udded Outlook & Next Steps<\/h2>\n
                      \n
                    • Detailed engineering for revised alignment and tunnel works<\/strong> is underway, with further forest clearance and land acquisition in progress.<\/li>\n
                    • Once realignment construction begins through corridor via Khaknar\u2013Usami, the project will proceed carefully through hilly terrain.<\/li>\n
                    • Phase 3 (Amlakhurd\u2013Khandwa)<\/strong> will await completion of the Akot\u2013Amlakhurd divergence before resuming.<\/li>\n
                    • Full BG line and electrification may take completion into 2026\u201327<\/strong>, subject to funding and clearances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                      \n

                      \u2705 Final Note<\/h2>\n

                      The Akola\u2013Khandwa Gauge Conversion<\/strong> is moving forward in stages:<\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • Akola\u2013Akot BG<\/strong> commissioned.<\/li>\n
                      • For the ecologically sensitive Akot\u2013Amlakhurd stretch<\/strong>, an alternate alignment avoiding Melghat Tiger Reserve was approved in 2025<\/strong>, albeit adding ~29\u202fkm and requiring tunnel construction.<\/li>\n
                      • Subsequent conversion toward Khandwa<\/strong> is poised to follow once environmental clearances and realignments are complete.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        Would you like to see maps of the approved alignment, details on tunnel design and wildlife mitigation measures, or expected timelines for the tunnel section?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                        New Broad Gauge Railway Line between Akola-Khandwa Modification of Akola Yard as part of Gauge Conversion Work between Akola-Khandwa South Central Railway has carried out an extensive modification of Akola Station Yard to facilitate connection to the new Broad-Gauge railway line under construction between Akola and Akot stations, part of Akola \u2013 Khandwa Gauge Conversion […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":102,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,91],"tags":[48,49,6,78],"class_list":["post-4752","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-railway","category-railway-news","tag-new-railway-line","tag-new-railway-projects","tag-railway","tag-railway-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4752","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/102"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4752"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4752\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4752"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4752"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4752"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}