Vidarbha Rail Boost: Rs 16,671 Crore Projects to Transform Connectivity Across Akola, Amravati, Yavatmal and Wardha

Reported by Amit Singh
Nagpur, 30th July 2026: Railway infrastructure projects worth thousands of crores are progressing across Vidarbha, with gauge conversion, new railway lines and additional tracks planned or under construction across Akola, Amravati, Yavatmal, Wardha, Buldhana and adjoining districts.

The projects include the ₹5,248-crore Wardha–Nanded new line, the recently sanctioned Bhusawal–Wardha third and fourth lines costing ₹9,197 crore, and the ₹2,226-crore Wardha–Balharshah fourth line. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) has also been prepared for the 162-km Jalna–Khamgaon new line.

The project status was provided by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

Wardha–Nanded Line Makes Progress

The 284-km Wardha–Nanded new line has been sanctioned at a cost of ₹5,248 crore. The 38-km Wardha–Deoli–Kalamb section has already been commissioned, while work is continuing on the remaining portion.

Railways has completed acquisition of 1,338 hectares of land against the total requirement of 1,974 hectares.

Of the planned 136 major bridges, including two important bridges, 93 have been completed. Work on 25 of the 50 planned Road Over Bridges (ROBs) has also been completed.

Expenditure on the project had reached ₹4,802 crore by March 2026, with an allocation of ₹820 crore for 2026–27.

₹9,197 Crore Bhusawal–Wardha Track Expansion

The 314-km Bhusawal–Wardha third and fourth line project has recently been sanctioned at a cost of ₹9,197 crore.

The 135-km Wardha–Balharshah fourth line project has also received sanction at a cost of ₹2,226 crore.

Meanwhile, the 162-km Jalna–Khamgaon new line is at the DPR stage. Further sanction will require consultation with stakeholders, including state governments, along with the required appraisals and approvals.

Century-Old Narrow-Gauge Lines Await Gauge Conversion

Railways has also outlined the status of three narrow-gauge sections in the Vidarbha region:

Murtizapur–Yavatmal: 112 km

Murtizapur–Achalpur: 77 km

Pulgaon–Arvi: 35 km

The Murtizapur–Yavatmal and Murtizapur–Achalpur narrow-gauge lines were constructed in 1916–17. Train operations on the two sections were discontinued in 2017 and 2019, respectively, and DPRs have been prepared for their gauge conversion.

The 35-km Pulgaon–Arvi narrow-gauge section, also constructed in 1916–17, remained operational until 2008. A Final Location Survey (FLS) has been sanctioned for gauge conversion and preparation of its DPR.

According to the Railway Ministry, the three narrow-gauge lines are more than a century old, and their infrastructure and assets had deteriorated significantly. Train operations were discontinued due to safety considerations and the requirement to renew overaged assets.

Ratlam–Khandwa–Akola Gauge Conversion

The 473-km Ratlam–Mhow–Khandwa–Akola metre-gauge section has been sanctioned for gauge conversion.

So far, 319 km covering Ratlam–Patalpani (144 km), Omkareshwar Road–Tukaithad (132 km) and Akola–Akot (43 km) has been commissioned.

Work is continuing on the remaining portion. Railways has acquired 242 hectares of land out of the total 320 hectares required. Five of the planned 41 major bridges, including one important bridge, have been completed, while work on the remaining bridges is underway.

Earthwork and formation work has also started, along with station building work at seven stations.

Contract Dispute Over Three Narrow-Gauge Sections

The three narrow-gauge lines were constructed by Central Province Railway Company Limited (CPRCL) under agreements executed in 1916 and 1917 with Indian Railways.

Railway land ownership is provided for under the contract and was planned to be used for gauge conversion. Central Railway approved determination of the contract in 2022, citing CPRCL’s failure to maintain the infrastructure and provide funds for rehabilitation.

CPRCL challenged the determination. The High Court appointed an arbitrator on March 28, 2024, and arbitration proceedings are currently underway.

The Railway Ministry said timelines for sanctioning projects at the DPR stage depend on stakeholder consultations, appraisals and approvals, including those involving state governments, NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance.