New Broad Gauge Railway Line between Akola-Khandwa
Modification of Akola Yard as part of Gauge Conversion Work between Akola-Khandwa
South Central Railway has carried out an extensive modification of Akola Station Yard to facilitate connection to the new Broad-Gauge railway line under construction between Akola and Akot stations, part of Akola – Khandwa Gauge Conversion Project. Akola Station is an important junction in the Marathwada region connecting Wardha towards East, Bhusaval towards West, Purna towards South and Khandwa towards North direction and the station falls under Central Railway jurisdiction.
The present Metre gauge line which connects Akola and Khandwa directly passing through a thick forest is under gauge conversion and the entire stretch comes under the purview of South Central Railway. Akola – Khandwa Gauge conversion project is sanctioned in the year 2008-09 for a distance of 174 Kms with a sanctioned cost of Rs 2067 crore and the gauge conversion work on the entire stretch has been taken up by the Zone.
The execution work of the entire project is divided into 3 phases –
1. Akola-Akot-43 Kms
2. Akot-Amlakhurd-77 Kms
3. Amlakhurd-Khandwa-54 Kms
The gauge conversion work between Akola-Akot is nearing completion, while Works are in progress in the remaining phases.As part of gauge conversion work, Akola station yard has been modified and accordingly one new loop line has been laid down in addition to the existing three lines (one main line and two loop lines). Non interlocking work has been carried out for a period of 3 days from 26th to 28th June, 2025 in order to connect the newly laid loop line with the existing lines and also with the new Broad-gauge line under construction towards Akot as a part of gauge conversion between Akola – Khandwa.
Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, South Central Railway has complimented Construction department Officials and Nanded Division on successful completion of Akola yard modification duly coordinating with Central Railway officials. He also thanked the Officers and staff of Central Railway for extending cooperation time to time in execution of the work. General Manager opined that the modification of Akola station yard paves the way for smooth execution of Gauge conversion work and also helps in enhancement of rail connectivity in Marathwada region with Madhya Pradesh.
Here’s an updated overview of the Akola–Khandwa Broad Gauge (BG) Railway Line conversion project—its current status, major milestones, environmental considerations, and key challenges.
Contents
🛤️ Project Overview
- The Akola–Khandwa meter-gauge (MG) line (~176 km long) in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh is being upgraded to broad gauge—part of the wider Akola–Ratlam gauge conversion (473 km), sanctioned in 2008–09 at ₹2,067 crore.
- It’s divided into three phases:
- Akola → Akot (44 km)
- Akot → Amlakhurd (~78 km; through Melghat Tiger Reserve)
- Amlakhurd → Khandwa (~54 km)
✅ Completed Section: Akola → Akot (44 km Broad Gauge)
- Commissioned successfully by July 2025, with:
- Reconstruction of 38 minor bridges, 2 major bridges
- Five station upgrades, road underbridges, level crossing elimination, and yard remodeling at Akola
- Operational for regular passenger and goods services.
🐅 Sensitive Stretch: Akot → Amlakhurd (via Melghat Reserve)
- This ~78 km segment traversed 38 km within the Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR), including 18 km in the core zone—raising serious environmental concerns.
- The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) initially rejected the original alignment in 2025. Subsequently, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray urged the Railway Ministry to adopt a different route to protect the reserve.
🔄 Alignment Change Approved (2025)
- In August 2025, MoEFCC’s Regional Empowered Committee approved a new alignment bypassing the MTR, avoiding forested habitats.
- The diverted route passes via Akot → Hiwarkhed → Sonala → Jalgaon Jamod → Usarni, adding ~29 km and includes:
- A 6.5 km tunnel across the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh border
- Nearly 50 hectares of forest land diversion
- New stations at Sonala, Jalgaon Jamod, Usarni, and Khaknar; older stations (e.g., Barhekhed, Dhulkhod) to be decommissioned
📊 Summary Table
| Phase | Distance | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akola → Akot | 44 km | Completed | BG line active since July 2020; station and infrastructure upgraded |
| Akot → Amlakhurd | ~78 km | Environmental hold | Original alignment through Melghat Tiger Reserve canceled |
| Revised Alignment Path | ~107 km | Approved Aug 2025 | Bypasses MTR with new tunnels and stations; delaying work |
| Amlakhurd → Khandwa | ~54 km | Yet to start | Awaiting surveys and approvals |
- Project Cost: ₹2,067 cr originally sanctioned; chief minister’s office support in 2025 and conversions estimate ₹6,383 cr total by mid‑2025
🌍 Environmental & Community Impact
- The new diversion avoids fragmentation of the tiger reserve and mitigates wildlife risk. WII recommended this for long-term ecological protection.
- Adding 29 km to the alignment offers improved connectivity for ~100 villages around Buldhana district, enabling access to broader markets and mobilization.
🧭 Outlook & Next Steps
- Detailed engineering for revised alignment and tunnel works is underway, with further forest clearance and land acquisition in progress.
- Once realignment construction begins through corridor via Khaknar–Usami, the project will proceed carefully through hilly terrain.
- Phase 3 (Amlakhurd–Khandwa) will await completion of the Akot–Amlakhurd divergence before resuming.
- Full BG line and electrification may take completion into 2026–27, subject to funding and clearances.
✅ Final Note
The Akola–Khandwa Gauge Conversion is moving forward in stages:
- Akola–Akot BG commissioned.
- For the ecologically sensitive Akot–Amlakhurd stretch, an alternate alignment avoiding Melghat Tiger Reserve was approved in 2025, albeit adding ~29 km and requiring tunnel construction.
- Subsequent conversion toward Khandwa is poised to follow once environmental clearances and realignments are complete.
Would you like to see maps of the approved alignment, details on tunnel design and wildlife mitigation measures, or expected timelines for the tunnel section?