Nashik-Pune Direct Rail Project Scrapped; Satyajeet Tambe Criticises Railway Minister

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has decided to scrap the direct Nashik-Pune railway project, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from former MLA Satyajeet Tambe. The proposed route would have connected Nashik, Sinnar, Sangamner, Akole, Narayangaon, Rajgurunagar, and Chakan to Pune.

Tambe argued that public interest should outweigh financial considerations and criticised the minister for neglecting development priorities of North Maharashtra. The demand for this route has existed since 2011-12. Currently, the journey between Nashik and Pune takes 4.5 to 5 hours by road, while the direct rail line would have reduced it to 1 hour 45 minutes.

Tambe has called on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to intervene, citing his earlier promise to appoint an expert committee on the issue. The cancellation has sparked political debate across Nashik, Ahilyanagar, and Pune districts.