Railway authorities say several stalled lines gained momentum in late 2025 and early 2026 following the DCM’s direct intervention, reviews
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. File pic/Atul Kamble
Senior Central Railway officials at the zonal headquarters at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on Wednesday recalled that in late 2025 and early 2026, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had emerged as one of the strongest drivers of railway infrastructure expansion in the state, with special focus on Pune, Beed and adjoining regions.
According to officials, Pawar personally monitored several long-pending rail projects and consistently pushed for faster approvals and coordination between the Centre and the state.
“Among his pet initiatives were three key railway projects close to his heart — the Daund-Baramati line, the Baramati-Phaltan-Lonand corridor, and the Ahilyanagar-Beed-Parli Vaijnath route,” a senior Central Railway official said.
“These projects were aimed at plugging decades-old connectivity gaps in western Maharashtra and Marathwada, with Baramati envisioned as the central hub,” the official added. Railway officers said Pawar also took a keen interest in strengthening Pune’s suburban rail network, particularly the Pune-Lonavala section. The corridor is being developed under an Rs 5100-crore project, with the Maharashtra government committing to bear 50 per cent of the cost. In Marathwada, Pawar played a crucial role in pushing railway connectivity to Beed — a long-standing demand of the district that had remained unresolved for decades. “We explained to him how the Beed rail project had been stalled mainly due to land acquisition issues,” the official said. “He intervened to resolve coordination bottlenecks and ensured momentum.”
Officials said the project is expected to significantly improve mobility, investment and economic opportunities in one of Maharashtra’s most historically under-connected regions.
Rs 51K cr
Cost of upgrading Pune-Lonavala section
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