Railways wants land at Nashik Road and adjoining stations for infrastructure development

Nashik: Railway authorities from the Bhusawal division have identified land parcels at four railway stations, including at Nashik, where they will undertake infrastructure development in preparation for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, to be held between 2026 and 2028 in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar.
On Friday, officials from the district administration and Bhusawal divisional railway, conducted a joint meeting and held a survey. During this meeting, the railway authorities identified the land parcels they require for the development of the Nashik Road railway station.
"We have requested the land held by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation during the period so that we can construct infrastructure that will accommodate 5,000 people before they enter the railway station. This will be the holding area that will prevent any untoward incidents inside the station," said a senior officer who was part of the meeting between divisional commissioner Praveen Gedam, Nashik civic chief Manisha Khatri, and Ity Pandey, the divisional railway manager of Bhusawal.
"If we don't get this land, then we will have to revert to the goods shed to create a holding area, just like the last time. However, that will put stress on crowd management given that state govt has already said that a bigger crowd would be coming to Nashik for Kumbh Mela," the officer said.
The team also visited Devlali railway station, where the Railways intends to set up a separate pit line for maintenance and create a platform. "We have identified the land parcel there too. We have less than a year for the mega event. We have to create a railway track, a platform, a pit line for maintenance of the trains, and other things. For all these, we need time and, therefore, need the land parcels at the earliest," said the officer.
Even at Odha and Kherwadi stations, the railway authorities have proposed land acquisition to create infrastructure. The Central Railways has already sanctioned funds for infrastructure upgradation to the Bhusawal division.