There is very good news for Jabalpur-Nagpur train travelers as the wait for a shorter route between the two cities is now closer as the remaining section of Lamta-Samnapur was formally commissioned. A K Rai, Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), South East Circle, has granted assent for plying of goods trains on the new railway line.
Construction of 23 km section was the last remaining patch on the Balaghat-Jabalpur section of the new railway line that was under development. Now with this seamless connectivity from Itwari to Jabalpur via Gondia and Balaghat would save nearly three hours of travel time. As of now, long-distance passenger carrying trains are reaching up to Samnapur station.
Now under uniguage policy, the work on erstwhile Narrow Guage section to Board Guage is being completed in stage and CRS cleared the route of ChiridongriMandlafort in Nainpur-Mandla section and Lamta-Samnapur under Gondia-Jabalpur section about 25 km. While inspection CRS at Chiraidongri held speed trail in Mandla Fort section wherein the train was run at a speed of 113 kmph to check the safety parameters of the new line. Electrification in Lamta-Samanapur section was also checked when the train was running at a speed of 117 kmph.
During the inspection, all aspects related to operations and safety and also consulted railway officials and thereafter issued necessary guidelines. Now, with CRS nod, rail services would soon commence in both the section.