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Railways has finalized the Pune-Nashik-Shirdi rail route, through which Sainagar Shirdi will be directly connected. The safety of the Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope will also be ensured, and devotees going to Shirdi and Nashik will also benefit. Their journey will become easier.
New Delhi. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav told in the Lok Sabha that the old alignment of Pune-Nashik high-speed rail passing through Narayangaon has been completely cancelled. This decision has been taken because of the world famous Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope. This international observatory is used by scientists from 31 countries. In this regard, the Department of Science and Atomic Energy had warned that if the railway line passes through it, there will be interference in the radio waves and the project will be spoiled. Now the new route has been finalized.
He said that after detailed discussion with the Maharashtra government and all the public representatives, the new route has been finalized, which is as follows. Nashik-Sainagar Shirdi (DPR of double line ready), Sainagar Shirdi-Puntamba Junction (Rs 240 crore approved for doubling), Puntamba-Nimlak (80 km doubling completed), Nimlak-Ahilyanagar (6 km doubling is going on). Ahilyanagar-Pune (133 km new double line, covering Chakan Industrial Area), will cost Rs 8,970 crore. Its DPR has been done.
The Railway Minister said that the travel time on the new route will be almost equal to the old one, but there will be many benefits. The biggest benefit will be that Saibaba’s holy abode Sainagar Shirdi will be directly connected to Nashik, lakhs of devotees will get the facility. It will be easier for devotees to travel from Nashik to Trimbakeshwar. They will not have to depend on buses, taxis or other means of transport. This will save their time and money. Also, travel will be convenient. Railways has finalized the new route after discussions, so that maximum number of people can benefit. Besides, a big industrial area like Chakan will also be connected.
Ashwini Vaishnav made it clear that scientific interests are paramount, hence the route was changed to save GMRT. This new alignment will provide a boost to religious tourism and industry along with faster rail connectivity between Pune-Nashik.
