SECR extends Itwari-Chhindwara rail line

South East Central Railway has decided to extend rail services on the newly constructed Itwari-Chhindwara broad gauge line in Nagpur by 44-km up to Bhimalgondi in Madhya Pradesh. It has secured clearance from the commissioner of railway safety and construction work and the project is set to start shortly. The passenger train will now operate 92-km till Bhimalgondi from Itwari. The route will include Saoner, Lodhikheda and Saunsar stations. Chhindwara-Bhandarkund (35km) track has already been commissioned and now, only 20-22-km of the stretch, which is a mountainous region and has tunnels and hilly tracks, remains to be completed. The railway expects to complete the work in the remaining patch before the onset of monsoon, said SECR officials. There will be 8 stations and 10 passenger halts between Itwari and Bhimalgondi.