Ratlam-Mhow-Khandwa-Akola Gauge Conversion

notice to proceed

Information Western Railway [WR] - II has come up with Ratlam-Mhow-Khandwa-Akola Gauge Conversion with a ticket size of 6203.51 INR Crores. This project in Railway Track sub-sector involves The current status of the project is Notice to Proceed and is being developed through the EPC route. Economic/Social Impact of the Project This gauge conversion project will restore shorter alternative North South Broad-Gauge route connecting Secunderabad, Chennai with Jaipur, Ajmer, Indore and other towns in North West Rajasthan. This project will provide a short distance corridor from Western India to Southern India. This Gauge conversion project is a combined project between Western Railway and South Central Railway. Ratlam - Mhow - Khandwa - Akola section is 472.64 KM. The GC work is in Pink book of Western Railway. The conversion from MG to BG between Akola - Khandwa [174 KM] is being done by S.C. Railway. Project was sanctioned in 2008-09 and detailed Estimates sanctioned in 3 parts Phase I [Akola - Akot] -43.50 Km in May-2010, Phase II [Amlakhurd - Khandwa] -54.50 Km in February-2018 and Phase III [Akot - Amlakhurd] - 75.60 Km in Feb-2019. Phase-I from Akola to Akot [43.50 KM] Completed and commissioned in Oct-2020 and presently regular passenger train services are running from Akola to Akot section. Phase-II from Amlakhurd to Khandwa [54.50KM] Works are in progress between Amlakhurd and Khandwa [54.50 Km] and planned to be commissioned in Jan-2024. All the required Revenue land acquired and Forest land of 21.49 Ha stage-II clearance received from PCCF/Bhopal, tree cutting is in progress for 8 Km Forest length. Phase-III from Amlakhurd to Akot [77.43 KM] The section between Akot - Amlakhurd [75.60Km] passes through the Melghat Tiger Reserve. Detailed Estimate for this section was sanctioned in Feb-2019 on the existing alignment, but due to not getting Wildlife Clearances for Tiger reserve, works could not be taken up. Railway Board approved for going on alternate Alignment in June-2022 and works are being taken up on diverted alignment. Proposal for diversion of 18.80 Ha of Forest land in Maharashtra and 133.358 Ha of Forest land in MP submitted on Parivesh portal. Tenders are being called under EPC mode for 24.41Km on existing alignment.