Maha govt forms panel on Pune-Nashik rail impact on GMRT

Mumbai, Aug 5 (IANS) The Maharashtra Transport Department on Wednesday constituted a high-level Expert Committee chaired by Anil Kakodkar, former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India, to evaluate the impact of the proposed Pune–Nashik Semi-High-Speed Railway line on the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at Khodad in Pune district. The decision follows instructions from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to address scientific concerns while balancing infrastructure development.

The government issued a Government Resolution (GR) on the formation of the Kakodkar-led panel. The committee comprises Kakodkar as Chairman, Vivek Gupta, Member (Infrastructure), Railway Board, and the Divisional Commissioners of Pune and Nashik Divisions.

The panel has also been authorised to co-opt additional domain experts in radio astronomy, railway engineering, electromagnetics and environmental science as needed.

The Pune–Nashik Semi-High-Speed Railway line is a key infrastructure project aimed at boosting connectivity across the region. However, the initial alignment detailed in the project’s original Detailed Project Report (DPR) passed close to the GMRT facility at Khodad, near Narayangaon.

Scientific bodies, along with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Department of Science & Technology (DST), expressed concerns about potential electromagnetic interference caused by high-speed electric trains.

Such interference poses risks to the ultra-sensitive astronomical observations conducted by the GMRT, which is among the world’s premier low-frequency radio astronomy observatories, said the GR.

While the Ministry of Railways previously finalised a revised alignment routing via Ahilyanagar and Shirdi, stakeholders have continued to submit representations asking for a closer review. They aim to determine if a more direct route or specific technical modifications, such as tunnelling, elevated tracks or localised realignments, can be implemented without compromising the radio-quiet environment necessary for GMRT.

The state government has mandated the committee to fulfil five main objectives. It will conduct a detailed examination of potential electromagnetic, operational and structural impacts of both the original proposed route and the revised route on the functioning of the GMRT.

It will assess options such as tunnelling, elevated structures or limited realignments to adopt a direct or near-original route while fully protecting GMRT’s radio-silence zone.

Further, the committee will evaluate travel time, overall project costs, land acquisition needs, industrial and agricultural connectivity and regional socio-economic benefits across alternative alignments.

It will engage with key institutional bodies including the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Ministry of Railways/Central Railway, Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd and local district administration.

The committee will submit a comprehensive report with definitive recommendations to the Maharashtra State Government within 60 days.

The Divisional Commissioner of Pune will provide all secretariat, logistical and financial support to the committee.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation will furnish original DPR drawings, survey data, cost estimates and depute a dedicated technical officer to assist the panel during the 60-day review period.

–IANS

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