The Indian Railways has finalised a revised alignment for the long-awaited Pune–Nashik high-speed corridor, ensuring stronger regional connectivity while safeguarding one of the world’s premier scientific observatories. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed the Lok Sabha clarifying the new route and outlining infrastructure works already underway.
Why the Earlier Route Was Rejected
The earlier proposed alignment via Narayangaon passed dangerously close to the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT), an international scientific observatory involving 31 countries. The Department of Science & Technology and the Department of Atomic Energy categorically stated that a railway line near the GMRT would cause harmful electromagnetic interference. This made the original alignment non-feasible.
The New Revised Alignment
After extensive consultations with the Maharashtra government, technical experts, and local leaders, the Railways proposed a GMRT-free alignment:
Nashik → Sainagar Shirdi → Puntamba → Nimblak → Ahilyanagar → Pune (via Chakan Industrial Estate)
This slight rerouting minimizes travel-time difference while maximising regional coverage.
Current Status of the Corridor
Significant groundwork is already in progress:
- DPR completed for doubling Nashik Road–Sainagar Shirdi
- ₹240 crore sanctioned for doubling Sainagar Shirdi–Puntamba (17 km)
- 80 km Puntamba–Nimblak doubling completed
- 6 km Nimblak–Ahilyanagar doubling ongoing
- ₹8,970 crore DPR prepared for new double lines between Ahilyanagar–Pune (133 km), passing through the fast-growing Chakan Industrial Estate
Boost to Tourism and Cultural Circuits
The corridor links three major cultural hubs:
- Nashik: historic & religious centre
- Shirdi: major national pilgrimage destination
- Pune: capital of the Maratha Empire & a key cultural hub
This will significantly improve tourist access to Shirdi, Trimbakeshwar, Pune’s forts, Pandharpur routes and rural tourism clusters.
Industrial and Economic Impact
Direct connectivity to Chakan Industrial Estate—a national hub for automobile, electronics, and engineering industries—will:
- Reduce logistics and freight costs
- Attract fresh industrial investments
- Strengthen MSME supply chains
- Boost Maharashtra’s manufacturing competitiveness
Educational & Urban Development Benefits
Both Pune and Nashik are major education hubs. Faster rail connectivity will:
- Improve student mobility
- Expand academic collaboration
- Support tech and skill-based sectors
- Promote balanced regional development
Aligned With PM’s Gati Shakti Vision
The Minister highlighted that under PM Narendra Modi’s multimodal logistics plan, 130+ Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals are already operational. A similar integrated approach can transform the Pune–Nashik corridor.
The revised alignment marks a critical step toward creating a modern, efficient, and future-ready transport link connecting Maharashtra’s cultural, industrial, and educational centres.
