Cabinet Approves Six Multi-Tracking Projects Worth Over Rs 12,300 Crore, To Increase Existing Railways' Network By 1,020 Km

Aiming at facilitating ease of travelling, minimise logistics cost, reduce oil imports and lower CO2 emissions, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved six railway projects with total estimated cost of Rs 12,343 crore.

The projects will work with 100 per cent funding from the central government.

Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Cabinet cleared the multi-tracking proposals to reduce congestion, while providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections across Indian Railways.

The projects are expected to increase the existing line capacity of the sections causing smoothening of the train operations and improved punctuality, as well as wagon turnaround time.

The projects are in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘New India‘ which will make people of the region Atmanirbhar by way of comprehensive development in the area which will enhance their employment/self-employment opportunities.

The six projects covering 18 districts in six states — Rajasthan, Assam, Telangana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Nagaland — will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by 1,020 km and will provide employment of about three crore man-days to the people of the states.

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 projects are a result of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-model connectivity, which has been possible through integrated planning and will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services.

The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of a magnitude of 87 million tonnes per annum. The Railways being environment-friendly and an 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.

The projects are likely to be completed by 2029-30.