In a major boost to India’s rail infrastructure, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave its nod on Wednesday for seven significant multi-tracking projects of the Indian Railways, entailing an investment of approximately Rs 32,500 crore, revealed Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Centralised funding will ensure these projects aim at amplifying line capacity, streamlining train operations, alleviating congestion, and ultimately, enhancing the traveller’s experience. Spanning nine states – Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal – the undertaking will bolster the existing railway network by 2,339 km. Additionally, it is projected to generate employment equivalent to 7.06 crore man-days for local populations.
Key projects from this initiative include the doubling of existing routes such as Gorakhpur-Cantt-Valmiki Nagar, Guntur-Bibinagar, and Chopan-Chunar. The quadrupling between Samakhiali-Gandhidham is another noteworthy inclusion.
Vaishnaw highlighted the projects’ strategic value, noting their pivotal role in transporting a diverse range of commodities – from food grains and fertilisers to coal, cement, and crude oil. The augmentation efforts are set to elevate freight traffic capacity by a staggering 200 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum).
Positioning railways as an eco-friendly and energy-efficient transit alternative, the minister emphasised that these upgrades align with the nation’s climate objectives and simultaneously slash logistics expenses. The projects stand as a testament to the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for Multi-modal connectivity, aiming for the seamless movement of people, goods, and services.
The holistic approach of these endeavours, Vaishnaw mentioned, is primed to substantially trim travel durations for commuters. He underscored the intertwined nature of these projects, suggesting they be regarded as a composite unit, collectively paving the way for the modernization of Indian Railways.