Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday dedicated a series of rail projects worth over Rs 1,400 crore to the nation during his Gujarat visit. These include doubling of Mehsana-Palanpur rail line, Kalol-Kadi-Katosan Road rail line and Bechraji–Ranunj rail line as well as flagging off a new passenger train between Katosan Road and Sabarmati and the first dedicated automobile freight train to North India from Bechraji station via Ranunj route.
Will create employment opportunities
Also, local functions were organised at Kadi railway station and Bechraji. These projects will benefit North Gujarat districts, especially Mahesana, Patan, Banaskantha, Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. They are expected to enhance regional connectivity, boost industrial development, improve logistics efficiency and create new employment opportunities.
Traffic will be smooth
The doubling of the 65 km long Mahesana-Palanpur railway line has been completed at a cost of ₹537 crore, while the 37 km long Kalol-Kadi-Katosan Road railway line has been converted to broad gauge at a cost of ₹347 crore. Similarly, the 40 km long Bechraji-Ranunj railway line has also been converted to broad gauge at a cost of Rs 520 crore. The completion of these projects has ensured smooth, safe and more seamless connectivity, especially for Mahesana, Banaskantha and Patan districts. These have made travel much easier for daily commuters, tourists and businesses, as well as promoted regional economic integration.
It is possible to run high-speed trains
The doubling of the railway line has increased the line capacity, making it possible to run high-speed trains on the Ahmedabad-Delhi corridor. Completion of the project has reduced traffic congestion and unnecessary halting of passenger trains at crossings, thereby ensuring punctuality of trains. This development has also led to introduction of more passenger services as well as improved freight efficiency, thereby giving a new impetus to economic activities in Gujarat.
The 37 km long Kalol-Kadi-Katosan Road rail line has been converted to broad gauge at a cost of Rs 347 crore. The project has given a significant boost to passenger and freight connectivity in the region. This gauge conversion has ensured seamless integration with the national broad-gauge rail network, enabling faster and more efficient movement of goods and people. The project is particularly beneficial for local commuters, small businesses and industries around Kadi and Kalol, which are important industrial and agricultural centres of Gujarat. It also reduces travel time, improves access to Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar and boosts economic activities in the surrounding areas.
Rapid development in North Gujarat
The gauge conversion of the Bechraji-Ranunj rail line has been done in line with the National Logistics Policy and the Prime Minister’s Gati Shakti National Master Plan for Multimodal Connectivity. This initiative reduces logistics costs and further strengthens Gujarat’s position in the National Logistics Performance Index, thereby accelerating the socio-economic progress of North Gujarat and also setting a benchmark in the logistics and railway sectors of India.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister also flagged off the inaugural service of the Katosan Road–Sabarmati MEMU train from Kadi Railway Station and the first dedicated automobile freight train to North India via Bechraji Station to Ranunj route. This freight service will increase connectivity to the industrial centers of the state, strengthen the logistics network and create employment opportunities.
Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil and other dignitaries were present at the event.
