PUNE (Metro Rail News): The land acquisition in Khed tehsil which was put on hold is expected to start again as the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (MRIDCL) has now submitted a revised railway track alignment plan for the proposed Pune-Nashik high-speed train. The decision was taken after the defence department asked for some changes in the detailed project report (DPR) as previously it was passing through an explosive destruction facility of the army.
MRIDCL conducted the first joint survey on March 11, 2022, after which a joint meeting with MRIDCL officials was held on March 16, 2022. In this meeting, MRIDCL officials understood the need to change the alignment as the demolition activities carried out on the army facility posed danger to the proposed railway alignment. A fresh proposal was then submitted with the revised railway track alignment on April 19, 2022 after the second joint inspection was held on April 18, 2022.
The 235 km Pune-Nashik railway line will pass through the Pune, Ahmednagar and Nashik districts. The train can run at a speed of 200 km per hour therefore the distance between Pune and Nashik will be reduced to one hour and 45 minutes. The semi high-speed rail will connect the industrial zones of Pune and Nashik such as Hadapsar, Wagholi, Alandi, Chakan, Khed, Manchar, Narayangaon, Sinnar and Satpur.
According to the officials, the government is offering five times the pre-calculated values for acquiring land from the owners while 2.5 times the assessment amount will be paid for building as well as other construction. Of the 54 villages in Pune district, the measuring work of 40 villages has been completed. The district administration has also started the process of purchasing the land.