Madhya Pradesh has asked for fast and efficient rail links to markets and ports under the proposed Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC).
The state has proposed the creation of the Pithampur-Dhar-Mhow mega industrial region over at least 200 square km, where an apparel park, a gem & jewellery park, a software technology park, a herbal park and clusters for pharmaceutical firms, textiles, food-processing and auto components will come up.
The state government has said there is an urgent need to expedite the gauge conversion of the Neemuch-Ratlam track of 135.38 km to strengthen transport linkages of the Neemuch-Nayagaon industrial region and Ratlam Nagda mega industrial region with Ajmer, Jaipur, the National Capital Region of Delhi, Ahmedabad, Vadodra, Surat and Mumbai. Further, fast and efficient connectivity with ports in Maharashtra and Gujarat is equally important, the state has said.
Similarly, the government has pointed out that the existing meter gauge (MG) rail route between Indore and Khandwa, which is connected to the age-old Ajmer-Hyderabad meter gauge rail route, should be converted into broad gauge quickly.
"It is essential to complete the ongoing Dahod-Sardarpur-Dhar-Indore broad gauge new line at a fast pace to ensure better connectivity to the Pithampur-Dhar-Mhow mega industrial region and the Shajapur-Dewas industrial region with cities of Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Surat and parts of Kandla, Mundra, Pipapav, Bedi in Gujarat," a highly placed source in the department of industries told Business Standard.
The source further said, "The conversion of the existing Pratapnagar (Vadodra)-Chhota Udepur narrow gauge line into broad gauge in progress and the construction of a new line from Indore to Chhota Udepur via Dhar and construction new Dhar Indore broad gauge line is in progress but linkage between Dhar and Chhota Udepur has yet to be taken up.
To ensure direct and shorter rail link between Pithampur-Dhar-Mhow mega industrial region and Shajapur-Dewas industrial region with ports in Southern Gujarat namely Hazira, Dahej and Maroli the central government should establish the link through a broad gauge line on priority basis," the source said.
