The Union Cabinet has approved four railway projects worth ₹12,328 crore, which will directly benefit Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, and Assam. These projects will expand the rail network by 565 km, add 68 MTPA of additional freight capacity, reduce oil imports and CO2 emissions, and boost employment and tourism.
Cabinet Decisions: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved four major Indian Railway projects with a total cost of approximately ₹12,328 crore. These include a new rail line in Gujarat's Kutch region and multi-tracking projects in three states – Telangana, Karnataka, Bihar, and Assam. These projects will expand the network by 565 route km, improve freight and passenger services, boost tourism and generate employment, while also reducing oil imports and carbon emissions.
Expansion of Rail Network in Gujarat
The plan to lay a new rail line from Deshalpar to Lakhpat in Gujarat's Kutch region has been given the go-ahead. This line will be approximately 145 kilometers long and its cost has been fixed at ₹2,526 crore. The project is expected to be completed in three years.
This line will directly connect important religious and historical sites such as Dholavira, Koteshwar Temple, Narayan Sarovar, and Lakhpat Fort to the rail network. This will significantly benefit tourism. Additionally, the transportation of industrial goods like salt, cement, coal, bentonite, and clinker will also become easier through this route.
The new line will directly benefit 13 railway stations and 866 villages. This will improve connectivity for over 16 lakh people and accelerate development even in remote areas like Kutch.
Strengthening South India
Work will commence on constructing the third and fourth lines between Secunderabad and Wadi in Telangana and Karnataka. This project will be 173 kilometers long and will cost ₹5,012 crore. The project duration has been set at five years.
This project will benefit both passengers and freight trains in South India. The problem of increasing traffic and congestion will be reduced, and freight transportation will be on time.
Improved Rail Facilities in Bihar
A decision has been taken to lay a third line from Bhagalpur to Jamalpur in Bihar. This line will be 53 kilometers long and will cost ₹1,156 crore. It is targeted for completion within three years.
Millions of passengers in the Bhagalpur and Jamalpur regions will receive better facilities from this project. Additionally, the movement of freight trains will be faster, and industrial activities will also gain momentum.
Network Doubled in Assam
The work to double the railway line from Furkating to New Tinsukia in the northeastern state of Assam has been approved. This project is 194 kilometers long and its cost has been set at ₹3,634 crore. It is planned for completion in four years.
This project will further strengthen rail connectivity in the Northeast. The local population, industries, and tourism here will directly benefit.
Benefits to Environment and Economy
These four projects will result in a total expansion of 565 route kilometers in the railway network. This will speed up the movement of freight and passenger trains. Operational efficiency will increase, and service reliability will improve.
The government estimates that these schemes will reduce the need for oil imports by 56 crore liters. Additionally, carbon dioxide emissions will also decrease by 360 crore kilograms. This is considered equivalent to planting approximately 14 crore trees.
These projects will increase the additional freight carrying capacity by 68 million tons per annum. The transportation of commodities like coal, cement, fertilizer, fly ash, steel, agricultural produce, containers, and petroleum will become easier.
Boost to Employment and Development
These railway projects will also generate approximately 251 lakh man-days of direct employment. This will increase employment opportunities at the local level and accelerate socio-economic development.
