Cabinet approved 6 multi tracking projects across Indian Railways to facilitate ease of travelling, minimise logistics cost, reduce oil imports and lower CO2 emissions. Projects will increase the existing line capacity of the sections causing smoothening of the train operations and improved punctuality as well as wagon turnaround time.
More Details:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved 6 (Six) projects of the Ministry of Railways with a total estimated cost of Rs. 12,343 crore (approx.) with 100% funding from Central Government. The multi-tracking proposals will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections across Indian Railways.
Image Credit (representational): North Eastern Railway
Brief about Projects:
- The projects are in line with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Vision of a New India which will make people of the region “Atma Nirbhar” by way of comprehensive development in the area which will enhance their employment/ self-employment opportunities.
- The 6 (Six) projects covering 18 Districts in 6 States i.e., Rajasthan, Assam, Telangana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Nagaland will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by 1020 km and will provide employment of about 3 (Three) crores man-days to the people of the States.
- The projects are result of PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-model connectivity which have been possible through integrated planning and will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services.
| Sr. No. | Name of Section for doubling stretch | Length in (kms.) | Estimated cost (Rs./Cr.) | State |
| 1 | Ajmer-Chanderiya | 178.28 | 1813.28 | Rajasthan |
| 2 | Jaipur-Sawai Madhopur | 131.27 | 1268.57 | Rajasthan |
| 3 | Luni-Samdari-Bhild | 271.97 | 3530.92 | Gujarat & Rajasthan |
| 4 | Agthori-Kamakhya with new Rail cum Road Bridge | 7.062 | 1650.37 | Assam |
| 5 | Lumding-Furkating | 140 | 2333.84 | Assam & Nagaland |
| 6 | Motumari-Vishnupuram and Rail over Rail at Motumari | 88.81 and 10.87 | 1746.20 | Telangana & Andhra Pradesh |
Significance of the Projects:
These are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as food grains, food commodities, fertilisers, coal, cement, iron, steel, fly-ash, clinker, limestone, POL, container etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 87 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum). The Railways being environment friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimising logistics cost of the country, reduce oil import and lower CO2 emissions.
Image Credit (representational):MoR
Conclusion:
The approved railway projects goes beyond immediate infrastructural improvements, strategically contributing to economic growth of the country, completely aligning with the vision of the country of becoming self-reliant in manufacturing and achieving the objective of carbon neutrality by the defined timeline.
Source: PIB- Press Release | Featured Image Credit (representational): South East Central Railway
