Survey on Dahanu-Nashik rail link project underway: RTI reply

Survey work on the proposed Dahanu-Nashik rail link project, which has been stalled for several decades, is in progress, according to an RTI query.
BJP's National Council member and social activist Om Prakash Sharma had filed the Right To Information (RTI) query with the Central Railway, seeking to know the status of railway projects in Maharashtra.
The preliminary engineering-cum-traffic survey report on the Dahanu-Nashik railway line had appeared in 'Blue Book' of 2010-11, the reply said.
The proposed railway link will cover around 167 km between Dahanu Road and Nashik Road stations, and increase connectivity to interior areas of Thane district.

If everything goes as per the plan, the less developed areas of Thane would be able to usher in development, Sharma, who is the president of Thane District Railway Passengers Association, said.
"The Dahanu-Nashik railway line was planned during the pre-Independence era by the British government. However, the plan was dropped since the adivasis (tribals) of the area had joined the freedom struggle," he said.

Many committees have been formed since then to initiate the project, besides a satellite survey, but the project could not take off, he further said.
"Once the project is complete, the distance between Dahanu and Nasik would be reduced by half," he said.

"The tribal natives, who have to work elsewhere in places like Vapi and Ankleshwar due to lack of opportunities, would be the biggest beneficiaries. I hope the work begins in right earnest," he said.
With regard to Kalyan-Ahmednagar railway line, the RTI reply stated that the reconnaissance engineering-cum-traffic survey report for its construction at the project cost of Rs 6,264.24 cr has been submitted to the Railway Board in August, 2014. However, instructions from the Board are awaited.
Regarding Pune-Nashik railway line, the reply said the project has been sanctioned as per 'Pink Book' of 2016-17.
The expected cost of the Kalyan-Ahmednagar railway line is Rs 2,425 cr, it said, adding the project would be undertaken through special purpose vehicle (SPV) model.