First train runs in Gadchiroli since Independence as Wadsa-Armori trial succeeds
Speed trial on the new Wadsa-Armori rail section passed on Monday, marking the first time a train has reached Gadchiroli since Independence.
Monday proved a big day for Gadchiroli district. A speed trial was conducted on the Wadsa-Armori section on September 21 and it was completely successful. Work on the 49.50 km new broad gauge railway line from Wadsa to Gadchiroli, being built under the South East Central Railway's Nagpur division, is now in its final stage, and track-laying up to Armori has been completed.
Commissioner of Railway Safety Sumit Singhal and Divisional Railway Manager Deepak Kumar Gupta were present at the trial. Chief administrative officer Mudit Bhatnagar and several senior railway officials were also present. With this trial, a train has reached Gadchiroli district for the first time since Independence. Watching the first train trial in this area, surrounded by forests and villages, brought a wave of joy among people across Armori and the whole of Gadchiroli district.
The entire project is worth around Rs 1,886 crore, with the central and state governments each holding a 50 percent share. Stations being built on this route include Wadsa, Kurud, Armori, Palora, Thanegaon, Vasala, Injewari, Deulgaon, Akapur, Kitali and Churmura.
The line passes through the Kanha-Navegaon-Nagzira-Indravati tiger corridor and forested areas, which is why the project faced several hurdles over environmental clearances and land acquisition. Regular train operations can begin only after the improvements suggested by the Commissioner of Railway Safety following the trial are carried out.
This railway line will make travel between Gadchiroli and Nagpur and other major cities easier. It will also give a boost to the area's mineral, steel and trade sectors, while opening new opportunities in education, health services and industry.
The railways have already connected Wadsa to Gondia. Once trains are given the green signal to run on the Wadsa-Gadchiroli route, Gadchiroli will also be directly connected to the country's entire railway network via Gondia district. Until now, Gadchiroli has been among the few districts in Maharashtra without a direct rail network; once this project is complete, the district will get broad gauge rail facility for the first time.
