Senior Central Railway officials at the zonal headquarters at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on Wednesday recalled that in late 2025 and early 2026, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had emerged as one of the strongest drivers of railway infrastructure expansion in the state, with special focus on Pune, Beed and adjoining regions.

According to officials, Pawar personally monitored several long-pending rail projects and consistently pushed for faster approvals and coordination between the Centre and the state.