Maligaon, August 17: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi approved Seven projects of Ministry of Railways with estimated cost of around Rs.32,500 Crores, with 100% funding from Central Government.
The proposals of multi-tracking will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much required infrastructural development on the busiest sections across Indian Railways.
The projects covering 35 Districts in 9 States i.e. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by 2339 Kms. and will provide employment of 7.06 crore man-days to the people of the states.
The doubling of Gorakhpur Cantt. – Valmiki Nagar section will serve as an alternative route to trains moving to and fro Northeast through the Delhi – Howrah grand chord line.
This alternative rail link will help in reducing the traffic congestion, improving connectivity towards Northeast and running of more and more passenger and freight trains towards northeast.
The doubling of Gorakhpur Cantt. – Valmiki Nagar section will be completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 1269 crores. Another project of laying a 3rd linein theNergundi – Barang and Khurda Road – Vizianagaram section will serve as an important route for people of Northeast travelling towards South India for education, medical and employment purpose.
There is a huge traffic congestion from Kolkata to Chennai in this section. So, laying of a 3rd line in this section will reduce the traffic congestion and will increase movements of trains. This project will be completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 5000 crores.
These are essential routes for transportation of varied basket of commodities such as foodgrains, fertilizers, coal, cement, fly-ash, iron and finished steel, clinkers, crude oil, lime stone, edible oil etc.
The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 200 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum). The Railways being environment friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and for reducing logistics cost of the country.
The projects are in line with Prime Minister’s Vision of a New India which will make people of the region “Atmanirbhar” by creating multi-tasking work force in the region and will enhance their employment/self employment opportunities.
The projects are result of PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for Multi-model connectivity which have been possible through integrated planning and will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services.
