Budget allocation for Bhusawal divisional railway works doubles in Maharashtra

NASHIK: The Union Budget 2023 has allocated Rs 1,471 crore for the Bhusawal division of the Central Railway (CR) — almost double of what had been allocated in the last budget.
Key Railway works that have received major fund flow include the 160km Manmad-Jalgaon third track (Rs 350 crore) and the 50km Dhule-Nardana track (Rs 100 crore).
Senior officers of the Bhusawal railway division office said the division has received Rs 1,471 crore this year — much higher than the allocation of around Rs 712 crore last time.The allocation has doubled and the thrust is on completion of additional tracks on the busy sections. At the same time, level crossings will be removed with the construction of underpasses and road overbridges.
“For the year 2023-24, the division has received allocation of Rs 532 crore for ongoing works, mainly the third and the fourth tracks, Rs 370 crore for works on doubling of tracks, Rs 44 crore for construction of underpasses and flyovers, while Rs 8 crore has been earmarked for seven new line surveys besides Rs 255 crore for maintenance on the whole. Moreover, Rs 186 crore is for passenger amenities,” the officer said.
The construction of third and fourth tracks and the doubling works have received a huge boost in the Budget.
Laying of the third track between Manmad and Jalgaon has received Rs 350 crore. The work on the third track between Jalgaon and Bhusawal is done and the construction of the third track in the Manmad-Jalgaon section will enable faster movement of trains between the Manmad junction that receives traffic from Mumbai, Daund and Aurangabad, and the Bhusawal junction that receives traffic from Nagpur and Khandwa.
“This section also receives traffic from Surat at the Jalgaon junction. Together, this is the busiest section where the existing network is under huge stress.
The completion of additional lines will facilitate faster movement of trains, especially the revenue-earning freight movement,” said the officer.
This apart, six other projects have been given Rs 223 crore. In case of doubling of lines and ongoing works, Rs 370 crore have been provided. Work on 12 flyovers at the level crossings in the division — including the one near Deolali in Nashik — will also get a boost with Rs 44 crore.
In case of passenger amenities, new lifts and escalators, foot overbridges at the stations and many other such works have been allocated Rs 186 crore.
There are two workshops coming up in Bhusawal division (wagon and wheels) for which funds have been provided. The construction of a new wagon workshop at Badnera has received Rs 40 crore, the wheels workshop at Nashik has been allotted Rs 10 crore, the authorities added.