<span style="color: #222222;">Central Railway is making rapid efforts for the development of Western Maharashtra. Electrification of Pune-Miraj-Londha route is in full swing. At the same time, electrification work of Miraj Kolhapur railway line has been completed. To complement this railway line, Ichalkaranji Hatkanangle eight km route will be constructed new.<br />''<br />''Ichalkaranji is known as the Manchester of India for its largest textile industry in the country. The new railway route would help to meet the industry's needs.<br />''<br />''According to  Railway Action Committee member Shrinivas Sharma, it was a long pending demand from locals to get dedicated railway route for Ichalkaranji.<br />''<br />''Besides, separate freight trains will be started from Miraj railway junction to transport agricultural commodities like sugar, jaggery, turmeric, pomegranate, bor, Chiku, vegetables, maize, and soybean.<br />''<br />''Speaking about the need for such train, Sangli agricultural market committee President Mr. Dinkar Patil said Ratnagiri – Nagpur National Highway is under construction. This would help increase trade turnover. Besides, new employment opportunities will be available along the national highways. The center of JNPT is being set up in Kavthemahankal taluka.<br />''<br />''Meanwhile, construction of an international airport at Bijapur is underway. This will make it easier to transport agricultural goods by rail, road and air.</span><br />