Indian Railways has officially confirmed that the Indore-Khandwa broad gauge conversion project will not be fully operational until December 2029. This update comes despite an allocation of approximately 1500 crore rupees in the current rail budget for the project. The delay primarily affects the section between Badhiya and Kulthanarajpura, pushing the final completion well beyond previous estimates. As a result, direct rail connectivity for pilgrims visiting the Omkareshwar and Mahakaleshwar temples will not be available before the 2028 Simhastha festival.
Why is the Indore-Khandwa project facing delays
The construction work is moving through sensitive forest land that requires specific environmental clearances. While the Ministry of Environment and Forests has granted permission to work on 454 hectares, the technical complexity of the ghat section remains high. The railway plans to build between 11 to 18 tunnels to minimize environmental impact and save nearly 17,000 trees. Indore MP Shankar Lalwani has been working with officials to resolve hurdles, but the railway department admits that the pace of construction is not meeting initial expectations. The need for multiple tunnels in the hilly terrain is the chief reason for the extended 2029 timeline.
Section-wise completion targets for the new line
The Western Railway is executing the gauge conversion in several segments, each with its own deadline. While some parts of the track will be ready sooner, the entire line will only be functional once the final stretch is complete. The following table provides the current targets for various sections of the project:
| Project Section | Expected Completion |
|---|---|
| Mukhtyara to Omkareshwar Road | February 2027 |
| Patalpani to Badhiya | November 2027 |
| Choral to Mukhtyara | December 2027 |
| Rajpura to Choral | December 2028 |
| Badhiya to Kulthanarajpura | December 2029 |