The Ministry of Railways has given the green light to a new 38.21 kilometre rail line connecting Mukutban in Adilabad district to Gadchandur in Chandrapur district. The South Central Railway will execute the project at a total cost of ₹493 crore. The line aims to improve freight movement, ease congestion on existing routes, and support industrial growth in mineral-rich areas of Maharashtra.
The Project Details
The new rail line will link two important industrial and mining regions. Mukutban, located in Yavatmal district, and Gadchandur, in Chandrapur district, are home to several cement plants, coal mines operated by Western Coalfields Ltd., and limestone quarries.
Once operational, the line is expected to handle 6.08 million tonnes of freight annually. It will accommodate two MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) trains in each direction daily for passengers. Freight commodities expected to use the route include coal, coke, cement, sponge iron, metal scrap, iron and steel, fertilisers and foodgrains.
The new corridor will create a direct connection to the Majri-Nanded route, allowing coal and cement traffic to reach cities like Jalna, Parbhani, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra and locations in Karnataka through a shorter path.
By providing an alternative route, the project will reduce pressure on the existing Wardha-Manikgarh section and the congested Balharshah-Nagpur High-Density Network route, both of which currently handle heavy freight loads.
What this means for you
If you live or work in Yavatmal or Chandrapur districts, this project will improve railway connectivity to your region, supporting job creation in industrial and mining sectors. Businesses dealing in cement, coal, steel and other commodities will benefit from shorter transport routes and lower shipping costs. For regular commuters between these districts and other parts of Maharashtra, the new line offers an additional travel option, though the focus remains on freight movement. The project reflects the Railways’ effort to connect mineral-rich but historically less-connected areas to India’s broader economic network.