The long-delayed doubling work on the Golden Quadrilateral‘s Mumbai-Chennai route has moved forward another step. Doubling of the Washimbe-Bhalwani section between Daund and Kurduwadi was completed today.
After missing several targets over the years, Central Railway had set a deadline of March 2021 to complete work on its territory. However, this target too was missed.
With this, completion of a final stretch of the 28.5 -km long Bhigwan – Washimbe section remains. Officials say formation works on this section are complete and the remaining works are at an advanced stage.
This section has several rock cuttings besides several bridges on the Bhima river and its backwaters.
Girdering of the four important bridges (Bhima bridge and the other three bridges on the Ujani dam backwaters) are on, with works likely to be completed in the next four months. Route Electrification is also on between Bhigwan and Bhalwani with works being at several stages of completion.
Mumbai Chennai Route: Daund – Kurduwadi Doubling Status Update
| Station | Distance from Mumbai CSMT (in kilometres) | Status |
| Daund | 264.7 | Doubled |
| Boribial | 275.2 | Doubled |
| Malthan | 284.5 | Doubled |
| Bhigwan | 292.6 | Doubled |
| Jinti Road | 304.8 | work in progress |
| Parewadi | 314 | work in progress |
| Washimbe | 321.1 | Doubled |
| Pophalaj | 331.1 | Doubled |
| Jeur | 339.7 | Doubled |
| Bhalwani | 347.4 | Doubled |
| Kem | 355.8 | Doubled |
| Dhavalas | 364.3 | Doubled |
| Kurduvadi Jn | 374 | Doubled |
As part of capacity enhancement works, Indian Railways has taken up doubling, tripling and quadrupling works on a war footing across India.