New Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circuit High Speed Train Announced To Boost Heritage Tourism In Maharashtra
New Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circuit High Speed Train Announced To Boost Heritage Tourism In Maharashtra
Mumbai: In a major boost to cultural and heritage tourism, the Union Railway Ministry has announced a new circuit train project named after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which will offer tours to various historic forts and cultural landmarks across Maharashtra. The announcement was made during Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s visit to Mumbai, where he reviewed several railway projects in the state.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis provided key details about the initiative, stating that the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circuit Train will soon be launched. “This will be an iconic train experience offering a 10-day tour covering key forts, historical sites, and places associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” he said.
Fadnavis highlighted that this new initiative aims to provide citizens and tourists an opportunity to explore the rich legacy of Shivaji Maharaj and other important cultural sites in the state through a specially designed rail tour.
Green Signal for Gondia–Ballarshah Railway Line
In addition to the tourism circuit train, Fadnavis also announced the central government’s approval of a significant infrastructure project in Vidarbha. A sanction of ₹4,819 crore has been granted for the doubling of the Gondia–Ballarshah railway line, which is expected to greatly benefit the region.
“This strategic line will enhance trade and connectivity between Chhattisgarh and Telangana, and also connect Madhya Pradesh through Gondia. I thank Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for approving this important route,” Fadnavis added.
Massive Investment in Railway Infrastructure
Speaking about broader railway development, Fadnavis revealed that the central government is investing ₹1.73 lakh crore in rail infrastructure. This includes the redevelopment of 132 railway stations across Maharashtra, with a goal to transform them into world-class hubs.
He further mentioned that ₹23,700 crore has been allocated to Maharashtra in this year’s railway budget, contrasting it with the ₹10,000 crore combined allocation during the 10-year tenure of the previous UPA government.
This ambitious set of announcements aims not only to revamp railway infrastructure, but also to boost tourism and regional trade, reinforcing Maharashtra’s connectivity and cultural prominence.
