Union Cabinet approves ₹2,642 crore project to boost freight and reduce congestion.
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a ₹2,642 crore multi-tracking project along the Varanasi-Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) route to enhance freight movement and alleviate congestion. This key railway corridor in Uttar Pradesh is vital for transporting essential commodities like coal, cement, and food grains.
The project, covering major areas in Varanasi and Chandauli districts, will install third and fourth railway lines and a rail-road bridge over the Ganga River. Expected to be completed within four years, the initiative will increase freight capacity to 28 million metric tonnes annually.
Aligned with the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the expansion will improve multimodal connectivity, create around 10 lakh person-days of employment, and help reduce logistics costs. Additionally, the project will cut CO₂ emissions by 149 crore kilograms, equivalent to planting six crore trees, promoting sustainability while boosting regional economic growth and self-reliance.
