In November 2025, environmentalists raised concerns over the proposed felling of more than 1.24 lakh trees for the 156-kilometre Mhow-Khandwa gauge conversion project in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore and Khargone districts. The project aims to improve the region’s connectivity with Mumbai and the southern parts of the country.
In October 2025, the project received in principle approval by Regional Empowered Committee (REC) of Union Environment Ministry in Bhopal for gauge conversion of the rail line from Mhow to Muktiyara Balwara block of Indore-Khandwa gauge conversion project. Under the project, narrow-gauge railway line will be converted into a broad-gauge line. The gauge conversion in this section is expected to cost Rs 2307.86 crore, with significant cost for the 65-kilometre challenging tranche of Patalpani-Muktiyara due to difficult terrain, deep trench and forest cover.
The project requires diversion of 454.178 hectares of forest land in the range of Mhow, Choral and Barwaha Forest Blocks of Indore and Khargone districts, which will result in cutting 1.24 lakh trees cumulatively. The Railways has committed compensatory afforestation as against slated tree felling, in different districts other than the ones impacted to the tune of planting nine lakh trees.
The project has received approval with the conditions of prioritising environmental protection and forest restoration, wherein tree cutting shall be minimised by way of constructing 16 tunnels. As per another condition, the land shall remain deemed forest land and the Railways are to comply with mandatory afforestation on both sides of the project. The Railways had started process of acquisition of private land back in 2023.
However, the project has raised widespread concerns over the possible detrimental impact on environment, biodiversity and wildlife in the region. Environmental activist and lawyer Abhinav Dhanodkar told The Hindu that the project aims to clear most of the forest in Mhow-Choral block, which is the most prominent and dense forest in the region. He further stated that, irrespective of the importance of the project, the number of trees slated to be axed can be significantly reduced by building more bridges and tunnels.
The project imposes heavy environmental cost specifically on Indore district, with the state’s second highly urbanised district set to lose 407.922 hectares of forest cover. Environmentalists fear that such significant tree felling will impact climate of the city, as rainfall and temperature patterns may be disturbed. Significant patches of Simrol-Choral green cover have already witnessed heavy deforestation on account of Indore-Khandwa road broadening, electric transmission line and other projects.
Meanwhile, the Railways is slated to submit a compliance report to the Centre to obtain Stage-II Forest Clearance from Union Environment Ministry.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Opposition against environmental degradation
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand to mitigate environmental cost of railway project by increasing protective measures
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Common and Private
Forest
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Project underway despite protests
Original Project Deadline
2027
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Yes
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Other environmental services, Other Natural Resource extraction/dependence, Religious/Sacred/Cultural value
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Data Unavailable
Source/Reference
According to the Status of Projects report, the project deadline was February 2024.
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
2307.86
Type of investment:
Cost of Project
Year of Estimation
2019
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Forest and Scheduled Area Governance Laws, Land Acquisition Laws, Environmental Law
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Legal Status:
Out of Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Yes
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Mineral and Resource Department, Madhya Pradesh; Forest and Environment Deparment, Madhya Pradesh; DFO Indore and Khargone;
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Indian Railways
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
No
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
