The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the construction of a new 309 km railway line between Mumbai and Indore, with an estimated cost of Rs 180.36 billion. Slated for completion by 2028-29, this project will traverse six districts in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, significantly expanding the Indian Railways network.
The new line will feature 30 new stations, enhancing connectivity to the Aspirational District of Barwani. It will connect around 1,000 villages, impacting approximately 3 million people. The line will offer direct access from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority’s gateway port and other state ports to the Pithampur Auto Cluster, benefiting 700 small and medium-sized enterprises and 90 large industrial units. It will also facilitate the transportation of millet and onions from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra to northern and southern India.
Part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, this project aims to enhance multi-modal connectivity for people, products, and services. The new line is also expected to boost tourism by providing a faster route between Central India and the Western/South Western regions, attracting visitors to the Sri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple and other tourist sites in the Ujjain-Indore area.
