The Union Cabinet has approved four railway projects in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh at a cost of ₹24,634 crore. These projects will provide improved connectivity to 85.84 lakh people across 18 districts and 3,633 villages. The new lines will increase train speeds, reduce delays, and boost local employment opportunities.
Ministry of Railways: The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved four major railway projects with a total cost of ₹24,634 crore. These projects will connect 18 districts in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh, and lay 894 kilometers of new lines. Third and fourth lines will be constructed in the Wardha-Bhusawal, Gondia-Dongargarh, Vadodara-Ratlam, and Itarsi-Bhopal-Bina sections. This will benefit 85.84 lakh people, enhance the railway network's capacity, improve train speeds, and create new employment opportunities.
Approved Projects
The four projects approved by the Union Cabinet include:
- Wardha-Bhusawal Third and Fourth Line – This project will cover a distance of 314 kilometers in Maharashtra.
- Gondia-Dongargarh Fourth Line – This project will extend 84 kilometers across Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
- Vadodara-Ratlam Third and Fourth Line – This project will connect a distance of 259 kilometers between Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
- Itarsi-Bhopal-Bina Fourth Line – Extending 237 kilometers in Madhya Pradesh, this line will help connect major cities and rural areas.
These four projects will add a total of 894 kilometers to the Indian Railways network.
Benefits for Villages and Population
According to the Ministry of Railways, these projects will improve connectivity in approximately 3,633 villages. The total population of these areas is about 85.84 lakh, who will directly benefit from these projects. This includes two aspirational districts – Vidisha (Madhya Pradesh) and Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh) – which will also gain from improved rail facilities.
Connectivity and Economic Development
Multi-tracking projects will increase the movement capacity for both passenger and freight trains. This will improve train speeds and reduce delays. The enhanced capacity of the rail network will also boost economic activities in these regions. New rail lines will benefit local businesses and create employment opportunities.
Improved Mobility
The Ministry of Railways states that these projects will significantly improve the operational efficiency of Indian Railways. Multi-tracking will reduce congestion and streamline operations. These railway schemes are in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a New India, aiming to make regional populations self-reliant through comprehensive development and enhance their employment opportunities.
Benefits of Multi-tracking
A major benefit of multi-tracking projects will be improved coordination between passenger and freight trains. This will help increase the number of trains and ensure timely operations. These projects will facilitate the running of long-distance trains and provide passengers with a faster and safer travel experience.
