New Delhi, Aug 19 (PTI) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved four projects of the Railway Ministry with a total cost of approximately Rs 9,450 crore.
The projects include the construction of a fourth line between Kharagpur in West Bengal and Bhadrak (Ranital) in Odisha, covering 173 km, and a fourth line between Bhadrak and Haridaspur in Odisha, covering 75 km.
They also include the laying of the third and fourth lines between Gummidipundi in Andhra Pradesh and Gudur in Tamil Nadu, covering 90 km, and between Cuttack and Paradeep (Badabandha) in Odisha, covering 72 km.
These new projects, which will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 410 Kms, will cost about Rs. 9,450 crore with completion deadline up to 2030-31.
“The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals are poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion,” a press note from the Railway Ministry said.
“The projects are in line with the 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,” it added.
It stated that these projects will focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity & logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations offering seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services.
The four projects covering eight districts across the states of West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh will enhance connectivity to approximately 6,448 villages, which are having a population of about 60 lakhs.
“The proposed capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika National Park, Maa Bhadrakali temple, Maa Dhamarai temple, Panchalingeswar Temple, Talsari–Udaypur and Chandipur Beach, Pulicat Lake, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Lord Veeraraghava Perumal Temple, Gada Kujanga Jagannath Temple, Sarala Temple, Dhabaleswar Temple, Lalitgiri (a Buddhist site), etc,” the Ministry said.
Highlighting advantages to freight business, it stated that the proposed projects are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, iron ore, cement, iron and steel, container, automobile, food grains, etc and the capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 76 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum).
“The Railways being an environment friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimizing logistics cost of the country, reduce oil import (13 Crore Litres) and lower CO2 emissions (65 Crore Kg) which is equivalent to plantation of 2.60 crore trees,” the Ministry added. PTI JP SKC NB
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