SECR Resumes Itwari-Chhindwara Train Services After 7 Months
Nagpur, India: The South East Central Railway (SECR) has resumed train services on the Itwari-Chhindwara route after a seven-month suspension. Services were stopped due to construction work in the Bhandarkund-Bhimlalgunj section, which was delayed by heavy rains last August. With the completion of the necessary upgrades, trains can now operate smoothly at a speed of 60 kmph, ensuring quicker and safer journeys for passengers.
On Sunday, SECR commissioned a new composite steel girder bridge (No. 94) between Bhandarkund and Bhimlalgunj. The bridge, built on a 40-metre-deep pile foundation, was completed in record time at a cost of ₹29 crore. This structure was part of efforts to restore a section that was damaged by mudslides and structural movements. Officials confirmed that the bridge became operational after obtaining approvals from the railway safety commissioner.
There had been growing demand to resume services on the Itwari-Chhindwara route, which provides a faster travel option. During the suspension, trains had to take a longer route, increasing travel time by at least two hours. Now that the bridge is operational, direct connectivity has been restored for key trains such as Itwari-Chhindwara, Rewa-Itwari, and Nagpur-Shahdol, offering greater convenience to passengers.
The bridge’s construction was closely monitored by R.K. Singh, Chief Engineer (Construction), Pradeep Goswami, Deputy Chief Engineer (Construction), and Ankit Singh, Deputy Chief Electrical Engineer (Construction). Senior SECR officials, including Nagpur division’s DRM Deepak Kumar Gupta, principal chief engineer Mudhit Bhutanagar, and chief administrative officer (construction) SK Tiwari, inspected the site on Saturday. SECR General Manager Tarun Prakash praised the team for completing the project on schedule.
Meanwhile, Central Railway (CR) authorities are set to conduct a high-speed engine trial on the Itarsi-Nagpur route on Monday. The trial, part of the ongoing third-line project, will be conducted at 130 kmph between Nagpur railway station and Godhani. CR authorities recently commissioned the third line between Bharatwada and Godhani, enhancing capacity and improving connectivity in the region.
