The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide a loan of Rs1,500 crore to Indian Railways to undertake electrification of Pune-Daund-Wadi railway line under the Pune railway division.
This was revealed by the general manager of Central Railway, Kul Bhushan, here on Wednesday while interacting with media persons.
“The implementation plan for the electrification is ready. Now, we will initiate the tendering process. We expect to complete the work in a couple of years. The total cost of the project stands around Rs1,500 crore,’’ said Bhushan.
The electrification of the Pune-Daund-Wadi line is expected to give a major boost to strengthen railway services between Pune and Daund. It would help to commence local train services between Lonavla-Pune-Daund, as the Lonavla-Pune track is already electrified.
“The loan proposal was under the consideration of ADB. Recently, we have received green signal from the bank. As per preliminary estimate, the project would take about three to four years to complete,’’ he added, stating that efforts would be made to complete it earlier.
Bhushan said a plan to restructure the Pune railway station is also underway. It includes establishing a coach complex at Ghorpadi yard and a separate modern terminal for Pune-Lonavla train services, erection of additional foot-overbridge at Pune railway station and expansion of existing platforms.
Bhushan said during the recently held time-table conference in Pune, proposals have been received for commencement of new trains from Pune. All these proposals have been sent to the railway board for consideration, he added.
