Ministry of Railways has sanctioned the doubling of the Puntamba–Sainagar Shirdi rail line. The 16.5-kilometre stretch will be upgraded at an estimated cost of ₹239.80 crore as part of the government’s broader 2024–25 Umbrella Work for multi-tracking aimed at strengthening India’s rail infrastructure.
The sanctioned project addresses a critical need to decongest the rail route between Puntamba and Sainagar Shirdi, which currently operates with just 19.66% line capacity. According to senior railway officials, the demand on this route is rising sharply and is expected to touch nearly 80% capacity utilisation in the near future if no capacity addition is undertaken. This doubling project, therefore, is not only timely but also vital for ensuring the sustainability and efficiency of rail services in the region. As one of Maharashtra’s key spiritual destinations, Shirdi draws lakhs of devotees annually to the revered Saibaba Shrine. The existing single-line track has long been stretched to its operational limits, leading to bottlenecks, delayed services, and limited frequency of trains. The doubling initiative is expected to dramatically improve operational fluidity, reduce travel time, and accommodate the increasing footfall of both pilgrims and regular commuters.
Beyond religious tourism, the project is expected to provide lasting benefits to the local population, especially students, farmers, small-scale traders and daily passengers. Enhanced capacity will enable faster movement of both people and agricultural produce, linking hinterland markets more efficiently with regional and national supply chains. Officials highlighted that faster train movements would help reduce transportation costs and improve rural economic mobility in the region. Experts in transport infrastructure have welcomed the announcement as part of a strategic shift towards improving rail-based mobility in India’s non-metro zones. With rail seen as a more energy-efficient and sustainable mode of transport, such investments align with broader goals of decarbonising the country’s transport sector and creating equitable access to infrastructure.
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While the detailed project timeline is yet to be finalised, the sanctioning of funds indicates the railway authority’s intention to expedite civil works and ensure completion within a reasonable timeframe. The project is also expected to be designed in line with climate-resilient engineering principles to safeguard operations during peak monsoon seasons. As India pushes ahead with its vision of high-capacity, green, and inclusive transportation, the Puntamba–Sainagar Shirdi rail line doubling is a crucial step in enhancing regional connectivity while keeping the social and economic pulse of the community at the centre of infrastructure development.
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