Wadsa-Gadchiroli broad gauge line ready, speed trial on September 21

Work on the new Wadsa-Gadchiroli broad gauge line, being built under South East Central Railway Nagpur, has finally been completed. The long-awaited project is expected to serve several purposes. On Monday, September 21, the rail line will be inspected on the Wadsa-Armori section and a speed trial will also be conducted.

Ahead of the trial, people have been advised to keep themselves, their children and their cattle away from the railway track between 6 am and 8 pm. Gadchiroli district has so far not been directly connected to the rail network, and this line will give it that connection for the first time. It is expected to give fresh momentum to industrial, social and economic development across Vidarbha via Gondia and Nagpur.

The rail line will pass through villages and forested areas including Wadsa, Kurud, Armori, Palora, Thanegaon, Wasala, Injewari, Deulgaon, Akapur, Kitali and Churmura. Railways have already connected Wadsa to Gondia, so once approval is granted to run the Wadsa-Gadchiroli line, Gadchiroli will also be directly linked to the country's rail network through Gondia district. Until now, Gadchiroli was counted among the major districts of Maharashtra without a direct rail link. This line will give the district broad gauge facility for the first time.

Once the rail line is built, travel from Gadchiroli to Nagpur and other major cities will become easier, and industrial development in the area is expected to pick up pace. Transport of minerals, steel and other goods will become easier, and access to local trade, schools, colleges and hospitals will also improve.

The project passes through an area linked to the Kanha-Navegaon-Nagzira-Indravati tiger corridor, which meant it had to go through the environmental clearance process. Railways had submitted proposals related to forest land diversion and wildlife conservation. A proposal was made for diversion of around 83.431 hectares of forest land, in addition to a requirement of non-forest land.

The rail connection is expected to ease freight movement for proposed steel and mineral-based industries in Gadchiroli. Tribal residents of remote, Naxal-affected areas are also expected to get better transport access. Access to forests and natural tourist spots may also become easier, which is expected to boost tourism. Employment opportunities are also expected to rise from construction work and industrial expansion.