Pune-Nashik railway corridor realignment being finalised: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said the realignment plan for the Pune-Nashik railway project is being finalised, and work will begin once the Maharashtra government grants approval.

The earlier alignment of the proposed high-speed rail corridor passed through the 15-km restricted zone around the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at Khodad village near Narayangaon, around 60 km from Pune.

Scientists had raised concerns that the movement of trains through this zone could interfere with the functioning of the radio observatory.

The GMRT, located about 80 km from Pune, operates in the 150-1420 MHz frequency range and comprises 30 antennas, each 45 metres in diameter.

It is managed by the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) under the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).

Vaishnaw also announced a major upgrade for Pune railway station, citing the city's historical and industrial importance.