MCCIA for Pune-Airports Rail Link

PUNE: The Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA) has suggested the linking of the Lohegaon airport and the proposed airports at Rajgurunagar near Chakan industrial belt and Navi Mumbai to Pune by rail.

The suggestion is included in MCCIA’s annual memorandum, sent to the Ministry of Railways in December 2007.

While considering the issue of land acquisition and expanding industry on the fringe areas of Pune, the Chamber has also said that the two airports could be connected either by surface railway tracks or underground tracks or by any other suitable method. It has asked to allocate some funds to conduct a pre-feasibility report on an urgent basis.

Today, Pune’s only airport, Lohegaon, is available for civilian flights only for eight hours a day. With increasing pressure from travellers, airline companies and cargo companies, the MCCIA has sought a comprehensive development, as the proposed airports are greenfield projects.

It is expected that the load on any airport in Pune will be eased once the Navi Mumbai airport becomes operational. This is because the Navi Mumbai airport will be more convenient for people in the Talegaon belt than the airports in Pune. While demanding the construction of a broad gauge double line between Pune and Nasik, the MCCIA has suggested that the line be routed through Chakan, Narayangaon and Sangamner. Electrification of the Pune-Daund track is also one of the prominent demands made by the MCCIA.

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