New Ratlam-Nagda rail lines, a ₹1,018 crore project, will significantly enhance freight movement to West Coast ports and industrial hubs.
Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, today announced a transformative project set to revolutionise freight movement across India. The recently approved third and fourth rail line project between Ratlam and Nagda, sanctioned at a cost of ₹1,018 crore, is a critical step towards decongesting existing rail lines and drastically improving freight and passenger traffic efficiency.
The 41.4 km four-lined section, part of the High-Density Network, will slash line capacity utilisation from 116% to a more efficient 65%. This strategic development will significantly enhance freight connectivity from Madhya Pradesh to key West Coast ports including Kandla, Mundra, Pipavav, Hazira, Dahej, JNPA, and the upcoming Vadhavan Port. This upgrade is crucial for boosting access for central and northern economic zones and will directly benefit major industrial hubs like Indore SEZ, Chhindwara SEZ, Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor, and the Nagda Thermal Power Plant.
Minister Vaishnaw highlighted that this infrastructure upgrade will enable faster and more efficient transportation of vital freight such as agricultural commodities, coal, containers, and petroleum products. The project is projected to deliver substantial environmental benefits, including saving 38 crore kilograms of CO₂ and 7.5 crore litres of diesel in the first year alone. Furthermore, freight traffic is forecasted to surge from 7 MTPA in the first year to an astounding 76.4 MTPA by the 11th year, post-commissioning of Vadhavan Port, significantly bolstering India’s logistics and industrial competitiveness.
In addition to this major freight initiative, the minister also informed the media about the redevelopment of 80 railway stations in Madhya Pradesh under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and the launch of three new passenger train services to meet growing demand. Preparations are also underway for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028 in Ujjain to ensure smooth travel for millions of devotees.
Source: PIB
