India: In a significant step towards strengthening regional rail connectivity and facilitating faster and more efficient movement of passengers and freight, Indian Railways has approved the construction of a new 38.2km rail line between Mukutban in Adilabad and Gadchandur in Maharashtra at a cost of US$51m. Mukutban and Gadchandur are important industrial and mining centres, serving several cement plants, coal mines and nearby limestone mines.
The new rail line will provide a shorter and more efficient rail route, reducing travel distances, transportation time and associated costs. It will also provide an alternative route to decongest the existing Wardha-Manikgarh section, supporting the smoother movement of freight traffic. As per the Detailed Project Report, the project is expected to support 6.1Mt/yr of freight traffic, which is expected to include coal and coke, cement, sponge iron, scrap metal, iron and steel, fertilisers and grain, among other commodities.