India, June 20 -- PUNE The Central Railways has completed the long-pending doubling of the Pune to Satara railway line. The doubling work was carried out over a total stretch of 145 kilometres.

Rajeshkumar Verma, Pune divisional railway manager (DRM), confirmed that the commissioner of railway safety recently inspected the new double track and granted the necessary safety clearance on June 17. Trial runs and technical inspections will soon be conducted, following which regular train operations on the upgraded route will commence.

"The railway doubling project took over eight years to complete. Initially approved with a budget of Rs.2,480 crore, the prolonged duration and unforeseen challenges eventually pushed the cost to nearly Rs.4,80...