Govt. of India approves ₹32,500 crore Multi-tracking Railway Projects

New Delhi, India (16 August 2023): The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light to seven projects proposed by the Ministry of Railways. These projects, with an estimated cost of approximately Rs 32,500 Crore, will receive full funding from the Central Government. The primary objective of these multi-tracking projects is to streamline rail operations, reduce congestion, and provide vital infrastructure development for the busiest sections of the Indian Railways network.

These projects, spanning 35 districts across 9 states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, will collectively add 2339 kilometers to the existing Indian Railways network. Moreover, these projects are expected to generate employment opportunities, providing approximately 7.06 crore man-days of work for the people in these states.

The seven approved projects include:

• Gorakhpur-Cantt-Valmiki Nagar: Doubling of the existing rail line.
• Son Nagar-Andal Multi-Tracking Project: Multi-tracking.
• Nergundi-Barang and Khurda Road-Vizianagaram: Adding a 3rd line.
• Mudkhed-Medchal and Mahbubnagar-Dhone: Doubling of the existing rail line.
• Guntur-Bibinagar: Doubling of the existing rail line.
• Chopan-Chunar: Doubling of the existing rail line.
• Samakhiali-Gandhidham: Quadrupling.

These rail routes are crucial for transporting a wide range of commodities, including food grains, fertilizers, coal, cement, fly-ash, iron and finished steel, clinkers, crude oil, limestone, edible oil, and more. The capacity enhancement efforts are expected to result in an additional freight traffic volume of around 200 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum). The railways, known for their environmental friendliness and energy efficiency, will contribute to achieving climate goals while reducing the country's logistics costs.

These projects align with the Prime Minister's vision of a "New India," aiming to make the region "Atmanirbhar" (self-reliant) by creating a multi-skilled workforce and enhancing employment and self-employment opportunities in the area. These initiatives are part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for Multi-modal connectivity, emphasizing integrated planning to ensure seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services.