Indore–Manmad Rail Line Gets ₹267.50 Crore For Land Work, Will Pass Through 77 Villages In MP
Indore (Madhya Pradesh): The Indore-Manmad rail line project is now under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
This year, the central government has allocated ₹267.50 crore for the project, mainly for land acquisition.
The railway line will pass through 77 villages across three districts in Madhya Pradesh—Dhar, Khargone, and Barwani.
In November 2024, the Railway Ministry issued a Gazette notification for acquiring land in these villages, and in January 2025, a list of 18 villages in Mhow tehsil (Indore district) was released.
This rail line is especially important for tribal areas in Madhya Pradesh. Once completed, the project will benefit about 1,000 villages and connect 30 lakh people directly to the railway network.
Officials estimate that more than 16 pairs of passenger trains will operate on this route, serving up to 50 lakh passengers annually. The project is also expected to generate ₹900 crore in revenue for Indian Railways every year.
One of the biggest benefits will be the reduced travel distance between Indore and Mumbai. Currently, the distance is about 830 kilometers, but the new route will shorten it to 568 kilometers.
According to the January 14 notification from the Railway Ministry, land acquisition will happen in Mhow tehsil's villages like Khedi, Chainpura, Kamadpur, Khudalpura, Kuradakhedi, Ahilyapur, Nanded, Jamli, Kailod, Bercha, Gawli Palasia, Aashapura, Malendi, Kodariya, Borkhedi, Chauradiya, New Guradia, and the Mhow Cantonment area.
309 KM Long Line to Benefit 30 Lakh People
The full rail line will stretch 309 kilometers from Indore to Manmad in Maharashtra. Out of this, 170 kilometers and 18 stations will fall in Madhya Pradesh. The railway department has assured fair compensation to landowners.
This project will be a major development for the first-time rail connectivity in parts of Dhar, Khargone, and Barwani. The travel distance from Indore to Mumbai will reduce by 262 kilometers.
Local MP Shankar Lalwani shared that land acquisition work will now move quickly. A special railway officer has been appointed to oversee the process, and more funds are expected in the upcoming budget.
Tunnels and Bridges to Be Built Through Mountains and Rivers
The rail line will pass through hilly terrain, requiring the construction of 7 tunnels totaling 17.66 kilometers in Madhya Pradesh. The longest tunnel will be 6.02 kilometers. In Maharashtra, 2 tunnels totaling 3.50 kilometers will be built, with the longest being 2.16 kilometers.
The project also involves building major bridges in Madhya Pradesh over rivers like Chambal, Narmada, Dev, and Goi. In Maharashtra, bridges will cross Girna, Tapi, and Arunavati rivers.
In total, Madhya Pradesh will have 50 major bridges and 83 minor ones, along with 35 railway overbridges and 62 underpasses. Maharashtra will get 44 major bridges, 47 minor ones, 12 overbridges, and 79 underpasses. Additionally, 4 viaducts will be constructed in Madhya Pradesh.
The Indore-Manmad rail line is a long-awaited project with massive benefits in terms of connectivity, economy, and ease of travel for lakhs of people.
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