The Center will acquire the Shakuntala Railway of the British era: British company has ownership; Giving 2 to 3 crore royalty annually

The track between Yavatmal to Achalpur in Maharashtra in 1916 is 188 km long.

The last sign of the British rail network in the country is going to make history. Indian Railways is going to acquire the Shakuntala Railway created by the British company click-Nixon. This section is currently owned by the Central Provinces Railway Company (CPRC). The track between Yavatmal to Achalpur in Maharashtra in 1916 is 188 km long. Then there used to be goods trains and passenger trains for cotton belt on this route. There was also a Shakuntala Express among them. Therefore, it came to be called Shakuntala Railway. Railways were nationalized in 1952, but this track remained separate.

In the year 2016, it was planned to acquire this Narrowage track and convert it into broad gauge with Rs 15,000 crore. Therefore, the service on Yavatmal-Murtijapur in July 2017 and Murtijapur-Muthalpur section in April 2019 canceled the service. Since then this track is closed. It will be converted into broad gauge after the acquisition process is completed.

There are 17 stations between Achalpur to Yavatmal on the Shakuntala railway track.

Agreement was reached after India became independent Even after the country is independent, the ownership of this track is with the British private company. At the same time, the company operates this track. When the country became independent in 1947, the Indian Railways signed an agreement with this company, under which every year the company is still given a royalty by the Indian Railways.

Giving 2 to 3 crore royalty annually Interestingly, CPRC got Rs 2-3 crore annually in lieu of the use of Shakuntala railway network. Royalty is being given. Prior to the acquisition, CPRC is claiming 12-16 crore royalty, but railway track maintenance etc. can adjust it. FY will be acquired in 2025-26.