CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved three projects under the Ministry of Railways with a total estimated cost of approximately ₹6,456 crore. These projects aim to enhance logistics efficiency by connecting remote areas, increasing the capacity of existing lines, expanding the transportation network, and streamlining supply chains, which will lead to accelerated economic growth.
The proposals for new lines will establish direct connectivity and improve transportation, while also enhancing the efficiency and service reliability of Indian Railways. The multi-tracking proposals will facilitate operations and reduce congestion, leading to the much-needed development of infrastructure on Indian Railways’ busiest sections. These projects align with the Prime Minister’s vision of a “New India,” promoting extensive development across various sectors and empowering people with increased employment and self-employment opportunities.
These projects are a result of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity, made possible through integrated planning, which will provide seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services.
The three projects, to be implemented across seven districts in the states of Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh, will extend the existing Indian Railways network by approximately 300 kilometers. Along with these projects, 14 new stations will be constructed, providing better connectivity to two aspirational districts (Nuapada and East Singhbhum). The new line projects will connect around 1,300 villages and benefit approximately 1.1 million people, while the multi-tracking project will connect approximately 1,300 villages and benefit around 1.9 million people.
These routes are crucial for the transportation of goods such as agricultural products, fertilizers, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, limestone, etc. The capacity enhancement works will result in an additional freight handling of 45 MTPA (Million Tons Per Annum). Railways, being an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient mode of transportation, will help achieve climate goals, reduce the country’s logistics costs, decrease oil imports (by 100 million liters), and lower carbon dioxide emissions (by 2.4 billion kilograms), equivalent to planting 97 million trees.