Locals renew demand for Arnej-Tarapur railway line

Vadodara/ Anand: Residents in Central Gujarat have renewed their demand for setting up 45km Arnej-Tarapur railway line that can shorten travel time between Saurashtra-Kutch and south Gujarat. The Arnej-Tarapur railway line proposal is one of the oldest proposals pending under consideration with the Indian Railways since decades.
In 2012, the then union railway minister Dinesh Trivedi had even announced it as a new line survey to be taken up in 2012-13.The summary of surveys in progress by the end of 2014 in Western Railways shows that the survey was targeted to be completed in 2015-16.
The Gujarat Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (G-RIDE), a joint venture of Gujarat government and Ministry of Railways, shows the broad gauge line project estimated at the cost of Rs 484 crore is an “upcoming project”.
G-RIDE’s website reflects that feasibility cum bankability study of the railway line has been completed by the consultants. “G-RIDE has approached Railway Board to accord in-principle approval to G-RIDE for execution of this project by forming a project (special purpose vehicle) SPV under 100 % equity model with GoG and MoR being principle equity holders in proportion of 51:49,” the status report of the project states.
Kheda MP Devusinh Chauhan and Anand MP Mitesh Patel alias Bakabhai too have approached the railways ministry and asked Vadodara railway division to expedite the project.
“Railway connectivity from Ahmedabad-Botad to new Arnej-Tarapur railway line can immensely benefit locals. While the movement of passenger trains can be quicker towards Mumbai, Madhya Pradesh and south Gujarat, goods train too will reach two hours early to Mumbai,” said a resident Girish Dave.