Catching The Development Train: Four Aspirational Districts In UP To Benefit From Rs 4,939 Crore Bahraich-Khalilabad Rail Project

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a new railway line between Bahraich and Khalilabad in Uttar Pradesh, The Hindu has reported.

The statement released by the government through Press Information Bureau (PIB) said, “The new line serves five districts of Uttar Pradesh including four aspirational districts (Bahraich, Balrampur, Shravasti and Siddharth Nagar) and Sant Kabirnagar.

This project will generate direct employment of about 57.67 lakh man-days The estimated cost of this project is Rs. 4939.78 crore and will be completed by 2024-25. The total length of the new broad gauge line will be 240.26 km.

Bahraich, Balrampur, Shravasti and Siddharth Nagar are among the 115 aspirational districts identified by NITI Aayog for fast development and reducing the regional imbalance in the country. The line will also promote tourism in the region as it passes through Shravasti, a famous Buddhist pilgrimage destination.

“Shravasti is also an important tourist centre for Jains, provides better connectivity to Devi Patan temple, which is one of the famous 51 Shakti Peethas of Maa Durga”, the statement added.

The project will have a positive impact on industrial development as well as larger socioeconomic benefits for the population in the region.