Major rail capacity upgrade confirmed: 894 km of 3RD and 4TH lines approved across Maharashtra, Gujarat, MP, and Chhattisgarh.
According to an official statement, Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on December 2 the approval of four significant railway projects that would extend the current Indian Railways network by about 894 km. These projects would span 18 districts in four states: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh.
The Union Minister added that a number of future initiatives are being developed to fortify these vital routes, enhancing the flow of people and goods across the nation.
Vaishnaw discussed the plans, saying, “Today, four important railway projects have been approved. Forty-one percent of the train traffic passes through our seven routes. Forty-one percent of passengers and forty-one percent of cargo travel across these seven corridors. These corridors will be strengthened by numerous planned developments. The third and fourth lines have been added to the two-line stretch of Wardha-Bhusawal today. The six states of the country are connected by this corridor. The project is 314 km long and is expected to cost Rs 9,197 crore. This project will construct 537 minor bridges, 72 major bridges, and 4 significant bridges.
Vaishnaw went on to say that this project would include the construction of several bridges and tunnels.
“Gondia-Dongargarh is the other project; it now has three lines; the fourth line was approved today. It will link Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. The project is 84 km long and is expected to cost Rs 2,223 crore. This project will involve the construction of numerous bridges and tunnels. This project will save about 23 Cr kg of carbon dioxide annually. Vaishnaw said.
Four significant multitracking projects of the Ministry of Railways at an estimated cost of Rs 24,634 crore were approved earlier in the day by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, which is presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to a release.
These projects include: Wardha-Bhusawal (314 km) (Maharashtra); Gondia-Dongargarh (4th line) (84 km) (Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh); Vadodara-Ratlam (3rd and 4th line) (259 km) (Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh); and Itarsi-Bhopal-Bina (4th line) (237 km). Madhya Pradesh
The authorised multi-tracking project will improve the connection between two Aspirational Districts (Vidisha and Rajnandgaon) and about 3,633 villages with a population of about 85.84 lakh, according to an official announcement.
For Indian Railways, the increased line capacity will greatly improve mobility, which will boost operational effectiveness and service dependability. These multi-tracking plans have the potential to improve operations and reduce traffic.
The projects are in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a New India, which seeks to improve employment and self-employment prospects for the local population by making them “Atmanirbhar” through comprehensive development.
With an emphasis on improving multimodal connectivity and logistical efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder discussions, the projects are planned in compliance with the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan. The transportation of people, products, and services will be seamlessly connected thanks to these developments.
Additionally, the project part offers train access to well-known locations that draw visitors from all across the nation, including Sanchi, Satpura Tiger Reserve, the Rock Shelter of Bhimbetka, Hazara Falls, and Nawegaon National Park.
For the transportation of goods like coal, containers, cement, fly ash, food grain, steel, etc, this is a crucial route. An additional 78 MTPA (million tonnes per year) of freight traffic will be generated by the capacity augmentation projects.
The nation’s logistical expenses will be reduced, and climate targets will be met thanks to the railways, which are an eco-friendly and energy-efficient form of transportation.
According to a source, this will cut CO2 emissions (139 crore kg) and oil imports (28 crore litres), which is equal to planting six crore trees.
SOURCE – ANI
