Nashik Demands Direct Pune Railway Line

A simultaneous road blockade will be held on August 9 at 9:00 a.m. on the Nashik–Pune National Highway to press for a direct Nashik–Pune railway line. The protest, organized by the Sinnar Taluka Railway Action Committee, will take place at Gonde Phata, blocking both the Samruddhi Expressway and the Nashik–Pune Highway.

The committee argues that the proposed Nashik–Shirdi–Puntamba–Ahilyanagar–Pune railway alignment is impractical, as it would increase the travel distance by nearly 70 kilometres. The demand for a direct Nashik–Pune railway line has been pending for nearly 40 years, with land acquisition, surveys, and project planning already completed at several locations.

The committee claims that the original project is now being sidelined in favour of the longer route via Shirdi, Puntamba, and Ahilyanagar, rendering the earlier expenditure futile while increasing travel time and costs. The proposed detour would be inconvenient and uneconomical for farmers, traders, industrialists, employees, students, and other regular commuters.

The committee has demanded that the original alignment—Nashik–Sinnar–Sangamner–Akole–Narayangaon–Alephata–Manchar–Khed–Chakan–Pune—be retained. To reinforce this demand, protesters will simultaneously block the Samruddhi Expressway and the Nashik–Pune Highway at Gonde Phata on August 9.

A parallel protest will also be held at the Hivargaon Pavasa Toll Plaza in Sangamner taluka under the leadership of MLA Satyajeet Tambe. The Direct Nashik–Pune Railway Line Struggle Committee believes that the proposed direct route will significantly boost the development of North Maharashtra, Ahilyanagar district, and Pune district.

The committee said the agitation has received support from citizens, farmers, youth organisations, and several public representatives from different talukas. It has appealed to people to participate in large numbers to draw the government's attention to the demand for a direct Nashik–Pune railway line.

The demand for a direct railway line between Nashik and Pune has been a long-standing issue, with the proposed project aiming to reduce travel time and increase connectivity between the two cities. The success of this project would have a significant impact on the development of the region, with potential benefits for trade, commerce, and tourism.

In conclusion, the protest planned for August 9 is a crucial step in the ongoing campaign for a direct Nashik–Pune railway line. With the support of citizens and public representatives, the committee is hopeful that the government will take notice of their demands and work towards implementing the original project alignment.