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NASHIK: Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday announced an alteration in the route of the proposed Nashik-Pune semi-high speed rail project.
Fadnavis said the new route would now include Shirdi and this change would increase the train’s ridership.
The deputy CM said this after inaugurating the renovated Mela Bus terminus of the MSRTC in Nashik.
As per the original plan of the Nashik-Pune semi-high speed rail project, the route was Nashik-Sangamner-Pune, covering 235 km. The project cost was pegged at Rs 16,000 crore. The new route would add 30km to the Nashik-Pune route.
“I had discussed this project with the Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. He had explained that the project cost would significantly go up if the project is implemented as per the initial route since it would have required a lot of tunneling work. That problem will not crop up in the new route,” said Fadnavis.
Fadnavis said the project proposal, with the new route, is with the Union cabinet for its final approval. “The project details would be worked out as soon as the Union cabinet gives its nod,” said Fadnavis, adding that although there will be additional travel of 30 km, the travel time would remain the same.
Talking about Nashik city’s Neo Metro, Fadnavis said, “The Centre was planning a common Neo Metro project across 15 cities and make it sustainable. The design was being finalised. We have told them that whatever is finalised, the ‘pilot project’ should be implemented in Nashik. The state will contribute more than 50%.”
He also commented on the Kumbh Mela preparations. “It is an opportune time for the development of Nashik city and Trimbakeshwar. The committee led by rural minister Girish Mahajan should prepare a development plan,” he said.
“Today we are trimurti — CM Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar and I as deputies — are working hard for the development of the state,” he said .
‘Uddhav has lost his mental balance’
Fadnavis claimed that Uddhav Thackeray had allegedly lost his mental balance. Thackeray, in the press conference, had said that Devendra Fadnavis was ‘mentally ill’ pointing to the deputy CM’s “dog under vehicle” remark.
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