New Delhi/Gandhinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate several important railway projects worth over Rs 1,400 crore to the nation during his Gujarat visit on August 25.
These projects will benefit Mehsana, Patan, Banaskantha, Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad districts of North Gujarat. These projects will enhance regional connectivity, boost industrial development, improve logistics efficiency and create new employment opportunities.
The projects to be dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister include doubling of 65 km long Mehsana-Palanpur rail line at a cost of Rs 537 crore, gauge conversion of 37 km long Kalol-Kadi-Katosan Road rail line at a cost of Rs 347 crore and gauge conversion of 40 km long Bechraji-Ranuj rail line at a cost of Rs 520 crore.
By increasing the broad-gauge capacity, the projects will ensure more smooth, safe and seamless connectivity, especially to Mahesana, Banaskantha and Patan districts. These projects will make travel much easier for daily commuters, tourists and traders, as well as promote regional economic integration.
The doubling of tracks will also increase the line capacity, making it possible to run high-speed trains on the Ahmedabad-Delhi corridor. This will help in introducing more passenger services and significantly improve the efficiency of freight operations, thereby giving new impetus to the economic activities of Gujarat.
The gauge conversion of the Bechraji-Ranuj rail line has been done in line with the National Logistics Policy and PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for Multimodal Connectivity.
Its primary objective is to reduce logistics costs and further strengthen Gujarat’s position in the National Logistics Performance Index.
This initiative is expected to accelerate the socio-economic progress of North Gujarat as well as set a benchmark in the logistics and railway sectors of India.
In addition, flagging off of passenger train between Kadi to Katosan Road and Sabarmati will provide better access to religious places, benefit daily commuters in the region and boost economic activity at the grassroots level.
The car-loaded freight train service from Bechraji will enhance connectivity to the industrial hubs of the state, strengthen the logistics network and create employment opportunities.
Both services represent sustainable, eco-friendly and high-speed transport options that will reduce travel time, attract new investments and accelerate regional industrial development. All these rail projects will pave the way for a developed India through a developed Gujarat.
