The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved seven projects by the Ministry of Railways. These projects have an estimated cost of around Rs.32,500 Crore and will be fully funded by the Central Government. The aim of these projects is to improve railway operations and reduce congestion in the busiest sections of Indian Railways.
The projects will cover 35 districts in nine states: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. They will add 2339 kilometers to the existing railway network and provide employment opportunities for 7.06 crore man-days.
These projects are crucial for transporting various commodities such as foodgrains, fertilizers, coal, cement, fly-ash, iron and finished steel, clinkers, crude oil, lime stone, and edible oil. The capacity augmentation works will increase freight traffic by 200 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum). Additionally, the railways’ environmentally friendly and energy-efficient mode of transportation will contribute to achieving climate goals and reducing logistics costs.
These projects align with the Prime Minister’s vision of a New India, aiming to make the region “Atmanirbhar” by creating a multi-tasking workforce and enhancing employment/self-employment opportunities. They are part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity and will provide seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services.
