New Delhi: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved four projects of the Railway Ministry with a total cost of about Rs 12,328 crore. These projects include:
Deshalpar – Hajipir – Luna and Vayor – Lakhpat new line
Secunderabad (Sanathnagar) – Wadi third and fourth line
Bhagalpur-Jamalpur third line
Furketing – New Tinsukia doubling
These four projects covering 13 districts of Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar and Assam will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by 565 km. Its aim is to ensure seamless and quick transportation of both passengers and goods. Also, connectivity will increase and logistics cost will be reduced along with improving travel convenience. These rail projects will reduce dependence on oil imports and contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Direct employment will also be generated for about 251 lakh man-days during the construction of these projects.
The proposed Deshalpar-Hajipir-Luna and Vayor-Lakhpat new line will provide connectivity to remote areas of Kutch region. It will add 145 route km and 164 track km to the existing railway network of Gujarat at an estimated cost of Rs 2,526 crore. The completion timeline of the project is three years. This new rail line will also help in transportation of salt, cement, coal, clinker and bentonite besides boosting tourism in Gujarat. It will provide connectivity to the Rann of Kutch. Harappan sites Dholavira, Koteshwar Temple, Narayan Sarovar and Lakhpat Fort will also come under the rail network as 13 new railway stations will be added benefiting 866 villages and about 16 lakh population.
The multi-tracking projects of railways will enhance connectivity to about 3,108 villages and a population of about 47.34 lakh and one aspirational district (Kalaburgi), benefiting the states of Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar and Assam.
Sanathnagar- Wadi 3rd and 4th line
The 173 km long Secunderabad (Sanathnagar)- Wadi 3rd and 4th line spread across Karnataka and Telangana has a completion time of five years and a cost of Rs 5012 crore, while the 53 km long Bhagalpur- Jamalpur 3rd line in Bihar has a completion time of three years and a cost of Rs 1156 crore.
The 194 km long Furkating- New Tinsukia doubling project will be completed in four years and a cost of Rs 3634 crore.
Projects in line with the vision of New India
According to the PIB report, these projects are in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of New India, which will make the people of the region “self-reliant” through comprehensive development, increasing employment or self-employment opportunities. It will also improve the operational efficiency and service reliability of Indian Railways. This will reduce congestion.
These four projects covering 13 districts in the states of Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar and Assam will expand the Indian Railways network by about 565 km.
