New Delhi [India], November 25 (HBTV): The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved three multitracking projects for Indian Railways, totaling approximately INR 7,927 crore. These initiatives aim to improve connectivity, reduce congestion, and foster economic growth, according to the Ministry of Railways.
The approved projects include:
- Jalgaon-Manmad 4th Line (160 km)
- Bhusawal-Khandwa 3rd & 4th Line (131 km)
- Prayagraj (Iradatganj)-Manikpur 3rd Line (84 km)
The projects, part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, aim to provide seamless movement of people, goods, and services by integrating multi-modal connectivity. They will add approximately 639 km to the Indian Railways network, covering seven districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, and impacting around 38 lakh people in 1,319 villages, including those in two Aspirational Districts—Khandwa and Chitrakoot.
These enhancements will ease congestion on the Mumbai-Prayagraj route, improving operations for both passenger and freight trains. Improved connectivity will benefit religious pilgrims traveling to destinations such as Nashik (Trimbakeshwar), Khandwa (Omkareshwar), Varanasi (Kashi Vishwanath), Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, and Shirdi. Tourists will also gain better access to heritage sites, including the Ajanta and Ellora Caves and Khajuraho.
The projects will also facilitate the transportation of goods such as agricultural products, coal, steel, and cement, with an additional freight capacity of 51 million tonnes annually. This is expected to reduce logistics costs and further stimulate economic growth.
Environmentally, these projects are significant, with an anticipated reduction of 271 crore kilograms of CO2 emissions annually—comparable to planting 11 crore trees. This aligns with India’s climate goals while promoting sustainable development.
(ANI)