Centre Awaits Karnataka's Nod On Rs 2,354 Crore Bidar–Nanded Rail Line Project, Maharashtra On Board

The Centre has said that the proposed 155-km railway line connecting Bidar and Nanded hinges on cost-sharing arrangements with Karnataka and Maharashtra.

While Maharashtra has agreed to bear 50 per cent of the project cost, including cost of land, the consent of the Karnataka government is still awaited, the Ministry of Railways has informed the Parliament.

The 155-km new line between Bidar and Nanded has already been surveyed, and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) has pegged the estimated cost at Rs 2,354 crore.

However, due to low traffic projections on the route, the Centre has asked Maharashtra and Karnataka to share the half cost of construction in their respective state.

"Bidar is already connected to Nanded via Parli Vaijnath and Parbhani. For direct connectivity between Bidar and Nanded, Detailed Project Report of new line between Bidar-Nanded (155 km) has been prepared and cost has been assured as Rs 2354 crore. As the project has low traffic projections, Government of Maharashtra and Karnataka have been requested to share 50% cost of construction of the project falling in respective state," Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha last week.

"Government of Maharashtra has agreed for 50% cost sharing including cost of land. However, consent of Government of Karnataka is awaited," the minister added.

The minister was asked whether the government has sanctioned or approved two new railway lines from Latur to Nanded (91.3 Km) and Bidar to Nanded (157 Km).

"Nanded is already connected to Latur via Parli Vaijnath and Parbhani. Moreover, for direct connectivity, survey for new rail line between Nanded and Latur Road has been sanctioned and survey work has been taken up," he said.

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