Indian Railways Clears ₹172-Crore Somtane - Chikhli Rail Link, Freight Trains to Skip Panvel and Save 110 Minutes

New Chord Line Project to Ease Congestion and Improve Cargo Movement Across Maharashtra

Mumbai: In a major step towards improving freight transport and reducing railway congestion, Indian Railways has approved a ₹172-crore Somtane - Chikhli chord line project in Maharashtra. The new railway link is expected to speed up cargo movement, reduce delays, and strengthen connectivity to one of India’s busiest ports.

The proposed 3.7-km rail corridor will create a direct connection between Somtane on the Roha route and Chikhli on the Karjat route, helping freight trains avoid the busy Panvel Junction.

Freight Trains to Bypass Panvel, Cut Travel Delays by Nearly Two Hours

At present, freight trains travelling through the Karjat, Jasai and Roha sections must pass through Panvel Junction and undergo engine reversal operations, leading to long waiting times and delays.

With the new chord line in place, trains will no longer need to enter Panvel Junction. Railway officials said this will help save nearly 110 minutes per freight train, allowing faster movement and better utilization of railway infrastructure.

The direct rail connection is expected to reduce detention time and improve overall logistics efficiency.

Major Relief for JNPA Cargo Operations

The project is expected to provide a significant boost to freight movement connected to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), which handles around 60 per cent of India’s container traffic.

Currently, cargo trains moving to and from the port add extra pressure on Panvel Junction due to the lack of a direct Karjat - Roha connection. The new route is expected to ease this burden and support smoother cargo transportation.

Panvel Junction to Get More Capacity for Future Growth

Panvel remains an important railway interchange connecting routes towards Roha, Karjat, Diva and JNPT. Railway officials have long identified the missing Karjat - Roha direct link as a major bottleneck in freight operations.

The Somtane - Chikhli chord line is expected to remove this gap and strengthen western India’s logistics network.

According to railway estimates, the project could support movement of an additional nine million tonnes of freight every year after completion.

Project to Complement Existing JNPT Rail Connectivity Plans

The newly approved project will also support the already planned Panvel Elevated Chord Line projects on the JNPT - Karjat and JNPT - Roha sections, creating a stronger and more efficient freight rail network linked to India’s largest container port.

With this development, Indian Railways aims to improve operational efficiency, reduce congestion and prepare the rail network for rising cargo demand in the coming years.