- विज्ञापन -
Just before the announcement of the dates for the Maharashtra legislative assembly elections, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the ‘Shetkari Samridhi’ Kisan special train on Tuesday, linking Devlali in Maharashtra to Danapur in Bihar. The launch, which took place via video conferencing, aims to assist farmers by providing a cost-effective and efficient means of transporting their agricultural products. The train will stop at several major stations, including Nasik, Manmad, Jalgaon, Bhusawal, Itarsi, Jabalpur, and Satna, ensuring that farmers have timely access to markets. Notably, the freight charge is under 28 paisa per kilogram over the 1,515 km distance, making it economical for the transfer of perishable items.
Vaishnaw highlighted that this initiative serves as a pilot project, with plans for additional farmer-friendly trains depending on its success. He pointed out the significant railway development in Maharashtra, with funding increasing from Rs 1,171 crore before 2014 to Rs 15,940 crore currently. Additionally, 41 projects have been approved for new railway lines covering 5,870 km, requiring an investment of Rs 81,000 crore.
Moreover, 132 railway stations are being developed into Amrit Stations, and the construction of 318 flyovers and road under bridges is ongoing across Maharashtra. Vaishnaw also announced the approval of 11 Vande Bharat trains for various routes from Mumbai, six of which are already in operation. He provided updates on the bullet train project, discussing progress on pier foundations and girder casting along the 350 km stretch from Mumbai to Ahmedabad, which includes a 7 km underwater tunnel, illustrating the modernization efforts being undertaken by Indian Railways.
