South Central Railway has commissioned the new Broad Gauge non-electrified railway line between Akola -Akot stations, for a distance of 44 Km, as a part of Gauge conversion works between Akola – Khandwa section.
Akola – Khandwa section is the only Meter Gauge Railway line on South Central Railway jurisdiction.
Work on the conversion of the Akot-Khandwa stretch is currently mired in controversy, with the Maharashtra State government and activists asking Indian Railways to shift the broad gauge alignment out of the protected areas of Melghat sanctuary.
As a part of mission Uni Gauge Project of Indian Railways, Gauge conversion project has been sanctioned between Akola- Khandwa section for a distance of 175 Kms during the year 2008-09 with a sanctioned cost of Rs. 2067 crore.
The execution of gauge conversion works of this project has been divided into 3 phases –
- Akola – Akot – 44 Kms
- Akot – Amlakhurd – 77 Kms
- Amlakhurd – Khandwa – 54 Kms
Accordingly, the Gauge Conversion works on Phase-1 between Akola – Akot for a distance of 44 Kms are completed in all aspects and formal authorization has been given for running the trains.
Salient features of this section are:
- 38 minor bridges and 02 major bridges were reconstructed as part of Gauge Conversion works. In addition, one important bridge also reconstructed in this section.
- 05 Station buildings were reconstructed along with provision of high-level platforms and all passenger amenities.
- 22 Level Crossing (LC) gates, which are existing in the Meter Gauge section was replaced with Road Under Bridges (RUB) to enhance safety at Level Crossings and also to facilitate hassle free flow for road traffic.
- As part of gauge conversion work, Akola station yard has been modified and accordingly one new loop line has been constructed, in addition to the existing three lines (one main line and two loop lines).
Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, South Central Railway has complimented the officers and staff of Construction wing and Nanded Division on successful completion of Gauge Conversion works and commissioning of New Broad Gauge line between Akola – Akot section as a part of Akola- Khandwa Gauge Conversion Project.
This Railway line stands as an alternate and shortest route between Akola- Khandwa and also enhances the train connectivity between Vidarbha region of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh state besides providing the shortest path for the people of Marathwada region to reach Khandwa and other parts of Madhya Pradesh, he opined.