The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) is working on the Indore-Budni new railway line to make travel between Indore and Bhopal faster. This 205 km long project will improve connectivity in Central India and reduce the travel distance to Jabalpur by about 68 km. The line will bypass the crowded Bhopal-Itarsi route to ensure smoother movement of trains.
What are the key features of the Indore-Budni rail line?
The project involves massive infrastructure work including tunnels and bridges to navigate the terrain. The most significant part is Tunnel-2, which will be the longest railway tunnel in Central India at 8.64 km. For passenger safety, a parallel escape tunnel is also being built. The construction uses the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) for better stability.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Length | 205 KM |
| Large Bridges | 80 |
| Small Bridges | 99 |
| New Stations | 18 |
| Longest Tunnel | 8.64 KM |
| Completion Target | 2030 |
What is the current status and challenges of the project?
RVNL reported progress in tunnel excavation in April 2026, completing 500 meters in Tunnel-2 and 100 meters in Tunnel-1. However, the project has faced some delays due to land acquisition issues and compensation disputes in areas like Kannod tehsil. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has given in-principle approval for using 454.1378 hectares of forest land.
Member of Parliament Shankar Lalwani confirmed that the railway department is finishing formalities for the Forest Rights Act (FRA) certificate. While some segments are aimed for 2027-28, the overall project completion target has been extended to 2030 due to these land and forest clearance challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will the Indore-Budni rail line be completed?
The project completion target has been extended to 2030 due to land acquisition challenges, though some segments may be ready by 2027-28.
How will this new line benefit passengers?
It will make travel between Indore and Bhopal faster, provide new train options, and reduce the distance to Jabalpur by approximately 68 km.