Wardha-Yavatmal-Nanded Rail Corridor Makes Significant Progress in Maharashtra
The ambitious Wardha-Yavatmal-Nanded broad gauge railway line, envisioned as a crucial transport artery linking the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions of Maharashtra, is advancing steadily with tangible developments already enhancing regional connectivity. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw provided detailed updates on this transformative project in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, highlighting its strategic importance for eastern Maharashtra.
Project Status and Immediate Benefits
The 284-kilometer new railway line has been officially sanctioned, with construction progressing across multiple stretches. Most notably, a 39-kilometer section between Wardha and Kalamb has already been commissioned and is fully operational, providing immediate improvements to local transportation networks. Work continues actively on the remaining portions of the corridor, bringing the vision of seamless regional connectivity closer to reality.
This infrastructure project is particularly significant for the Yavatmal-Washim Lok Sabha constituency, where it promises to deliver substantial economic and social benefits. Once completed, the line is expected to dramatically reduce travel time between Nagpur and Nanded, while simultaneously strengthening logistics capabilities for both agricultural producers and industrial enterprises across eastern Maharashtra.
Strategic Importance for Regional Development
Minister Vaishnaw emphasized that the Wardha-Yavatmal-Nanded corridor will serve as a vital transport link for multiple districts across Vidarbha and Marathwada. The line is designed to significantly improve both passenger movement and freight transportation, addressing long-standing connectivity challenges that have hindered economic growth in these regions.
Beyond passenger convenience, the railway line is poised to transform regional logistics by providing efficient, reliable transportation for agricultural produce and industrial goods. This enhanced connectivity is expected to stimulate economic activity, create employment opportunities, and foster more balanced regional development across eastern Maharashtra.
Broader Railway Infrastructure Expansion in Maharashtra
The Wardha-Yavatmal-Nanded project forms part of a much larger railway infrastructure expansion underway across Maharashtra. Minister Vaishnaw provided compelling data illustrating the remarkable acceleration in railway investment and development throughout the state over the past decade.
The annual railway outlay for Maharashtra has increased exponentially, rising from an average of ₹1,171 crore during 2009-14 to an impressive ₹23,778 crore allocated for 2025-26. This substantial funding supports comprehensive infrastructure expansion and safety-related works, including numerous projects directly benefiting the Yavatmal-Washim constituency.
The pace of rail network expansion has similarly accelerated at an unprecedented rate. Between 2014 and 2025, Maharashtra recorded the commissioning of 2,292 kilometers of new railway tracks, representing a dramatic increase compared to just 292 kilometers added during the 2009-14 period.
Comprehensive Railway Development Across the State
As of April 1, 2025, Maharashtra has a total of 38 sanctioned railway projects at various stages of execution, encompassing:
- New railway lines
- Gauge conversion initiatives
- Track doubling projects
These projects collectively span 5,098 kilometers with an estimated cost of ₹89,780 crore, representing one of the most comprehensive railway modernization efforts underway in any Indian state.
Station Redevelopment Under Amrit Bharat Scheme
Complementing the new railway lines, Maharashtra is also benefiting from extensive station redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. A total of 132 stations across the state have been identified for comprehensive upgrades, including Washim station in the Yavatmal-Washim constituency.
The redevelopment works at Washim station encompass substantial improvements to multiple facilities:
- Modernization of the station building and platforms
- Enhanced passenger shelters and waiting halls
- Upgraded toilet facilities
- Improved circulating areas for better passenger flow
- Installation of lifts for accessibility
- Construction of a new foot overbridge
These station enhancements, combined with the new railway lines, represent a holistic approach to transforming Maharashtra's railway infrastructure, ensuring that both the tracks and the stations meet modern transportation standards while serving the evolving needs of passengers and freight operators across the state.
