Thursday, 6 August 2026 MUMBAI EDITION LIVE

Anil Kakodkar Heads Committee On Pune-Nashik Rail Alignment

Expert committee to study impact on Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope. Former Atomic Energy Commission Chairman leads the committee.

Mumbai Alert · Politics Desk
Mumbai Alert · Politics Desk
Politics Desk · Mumbai Alert News · Thu, 06 August 2026 at 05:55 pm
Anil Kakodkar Heads Committee On Pune-Nashik Rail Alignment

A high-level expert committee has been formed to study the impact of the Pune-Nashik semi-high-speed railway line's alignment on the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) located at Khodad in Pune district.

The committee, chaired by Shri Anil Kakodkar, former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India, will examine the potential impact of the proposed railway alignment on GMRT's operations and submit a report. This decision aims to balance scientific interests with development.

The GMRT is one of the world's largest radio telescopes, and the committee was formed in recognition of its scientific significance. The committee may co-opt additional experts from the fields of radio astronomy, railway engineering, electromagnetics, and environmental science if necessary.

The Pune Divisional Commissioner will provide secretarial, logistical, and financial support to the committee. The Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC) will present all relevant reports, diagrams, and data to the committee.

The Chief Minister's Secretariat has clarified that this significant decision has been taken to ensure a balance between science and development. The Pune-Nashik semi-high-speed railway is a priority infrastructure project for the state.

Since the original alignment passed close to the GMRT, scientific institutions—as well as the Central Government's Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Science and Technology—had expressed concerns regarding electromagnetic interference. Subsequently, the Ministry of Railways finalised a revised alignment passing through Ahilyanagar and Shirdi.

However, as representations have been received regarding the possibility of technical improvements—such as a more direct alignment, tunnels, or elevated corridors—this committee has been constituted to conduct a detailed study.

The committee composition includes Shri Anil Kakodkar as the Chairman, and Shri Vivek Gupta, Member (Infrastructure), Railway Board, as a member. The Divisional Commissioner of Pune will also be part of the committee.

This decision is crucial for the state as it aims to balance the development of infrastructure with the preservation of scientific interests. The committee's report will play a significant role in determining the final alignment of the Pune-Nashik semi-high-speed railway line.

In conclusion, the formation of the expert committee headed by Shri Anil Kakodkar is a significant step towards ensuring that the development of the Pune-Nashik semi-high-speed railway line does not compromise the scientific interests of the GMRT. The committee's report will be eagerly awaited as it will have a major impact on the final alignment of the railway line.

The decision to form the committee is a testament to the state government's commitment to balancing development with scientific preservation. The Pune-Nashik semi-high-speed railway line is a crucial infrastructure project for the state, and the committee's report will play a vital role in ensuring that it is developed in a way that does not harm the GMRT.

The GMRT is a vital scientific institution, and its preservation is essential for the country's scientific community. The committee's report will be closely watched by the scientific community, and its recommendations will have a major impact on the final alignment of the railway line.

In the end, the formation of the expert committee is a positive step towards ensuring that the development of the Pune-Nashik semi-high-speed railway line is done in a way that balances scientific interests with development. The committee's report will be a crucial factor in determining the final alignment of the railway line, and its recommendations will have a major impact on the state's infrastructure development.

The state government's decision to form the committee is a significant step towards preserving the scientific interests of the GMRT. The committee's report will be eagerly awaited, and its recommendations will have a major impact on the final alignment of the railway line.

The Pune-Nashik semi-high-speed railway line is a crucial infrastructure project for the state, and the committee's report will play a vital role in ensuring that it is developed in a way that does not harm the GMRT. The state government's commitment to balancing development with scientific preservation is a positive step towards ensuring that the project is developed in a way that benefits both the scientific community and the state's infrastructure.

The committee's report will be a crucial factor in determining the final alignment of the railway line, and its recommendations will have a major impact on the state's infrastructure development. The formation of the expert committee is a significant step towards ensuring that the development of the Pune-Nashik semi-high-speed railway line is done in a way that balances scientific interests with development.

The state government's decision to form the committee is a testament to its commitment to preserving the scientific interests of the GMRT. The committee's report will be closely watched by the scientific community, and its recommendations will have a major impact on the final alignment of the railway line.

In conclusion, the formation of the expert committee headed by Shri Anil Kakodkar is a significant step towards ensuring that the development of the Pune-Nashik semi-high-speed railway line does not compromise the scientific interests of the GMRT. The committee's report will play a vital role in determining the final alignment of the railway line, and its recommendations will have a major impact on the state's infrastructure development.

What it means for the state is that the development of the Pune-Nashik semi-high-speed railway line will be done in a way that balances scientific interests with development. The committee's report will be a crucial factor in determining the final alignment of the railway line, and its recommendations will have a major impact on the state's infrastructure development.

The state government's commitment to preserving the scientific interests of the GMRT is a positive step towards ensuring that the project is developed in a way that benefits both the scientific community and the state's infrastructure. The committee's report will be eagerly awaited, and its recommendations will have a major impact on the final alignment of the railway line.

The formation of the expert committee is a significant step towards ensuring that the development of the Pune-Nashik semi-high-speed railway line is done in a way that balances scientific interests with development. The committee's report will play a vital role in determining the final alignment of the railway line, and its recommendations will have a major impact on the state's infrastructure development.

The state government's decision to form the committee is a testament to its commitment to balancing development with scientific preservation. The committee's report will be closely watched by the scientific community, and its recommendations will have a major impact on the final alignment of the railway line.

In the end, the formation of the expert committee is a positive step towards ensuring that the development of the Pune-Nashik semi-high-speed railway line is done in a way that balances scientific interests with development. The committee's report will be a crucial factor in determining the final alignment of the railway line, and its recommendations will have a major impact on the state's infrastructure development.

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of the expert committee on Pune-Nashik rail alignment?

The committee will study the impact of the railway line's alignment on the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) and submit a report.

Who is the chairman of the expert committee on Pune-Nashik rail alignment?

Shri Anil Kakodkar, former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India, is the chairman of the committee.

punenashikrailway alignmentgmrt
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