The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi approved 4 railway projects in Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, Assam and Gujarat at a cost of Rs 12,328 crore. These will help in better connectivity, logistic costs and environmental protection.
Railway infrastructure projects: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved four projects of the Ministry of Railways. They will cost around Rs 12,328 crore. In a post on X, PM Narendra Modi wrote, “Our focus on connectivity and Next-Jeen Infrastructure is re-appeared in today’s cabinet decision. It is related to a new railway line in the areas of Kachchy, 3 projects benefiting Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar and Assam and a new railway line in remote areas of Kutch in Gujarat.”
Kachch will join the railway line
These projects include multi-tracking of three projects benefiting Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar and Assam and a new railway line to connect far-flung areas of Kutch in Gujarat. The purpose of these projects is to ensure uninterrupted and fast transport of both passengers and goods. These initiatives will provide connectivity and improve travel facilities. This will reduce logistic costs.
Additionally, projects will contribute to reducing CO2 emissions, which will support sustainable and efficient rail operations. Projects will also create direct employment for about 251 lakh man days during their construction. The proposed new line will provide connectivity to far-flung areas of Kutch region. In addition to promoting tourism in the state of Gujarat, the new rail line will help in the transport of salt, cement, coal, clinker and bentonite.
Kutch Ran will get railway connectivity
The strategic significance of the project is that it will provide connectivity to the battle of Kutch. The Harappan site of Dholavira, Koteshwar Temple, Narayan Sarovar and Lakhpat Fort will also come under the rail network. 13 new railway stations will be added, which will benefit 866 villages and about 16 lakh population.
To promote connectivity, approved multi-tracking projects will increase connectivity to about 3,108 villages in the states of Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar and Assam. Projects have been planned according to the PM-speed power National Master Plan, which focuses on increasing multimodal connectivity and logistic efficiency through integrated plan and consultation with stakeholders. Four projects covering 13 districts in the states of Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar and Assam will increase the current network of Indian Railways by about 565 km.
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These are the necessary routes for the transport of goods such as coal, cement, clinker, fly ash, steel, containers, fertilizers, agricultural commodities and petroleum products. Railways will help in being an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient means of transport, achieving climate goals and reducing the country’s logistics costs, reducing oil imports (56 million liters) and reducing CO2 emissions (360 million kg).
The proposed projects aim to increase logistic efficiency by increasing line capacity on important routes for transporting coal, container, cement, agricultural commodities, automobiles, POLs, iron and steel and other items. The CCEA release states that these reforms expect adaptation of supply chains, which will help in quick economic development.