The government on Friday approved four railways projects worth Rs 18,658 crore. The projects, covering 15 districts in three states, will increase the existing rail network by about 1247 kms. The cabinet committee on economic affairs approved these multi-tracking proposals that will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections across railways.
Under the proposed projects, 19 new stations will be constructed which will enhance connectivity to two aspirational districts such as Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) and Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh). The proposed lines also cover essential routes for transportation of commodities such as agriculture products, fertiliser, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, and limestone. The capacity augmentation will result in extra freight traffic of 88.77 MTPA (million tonnes per annum). In FY25, the railways’ total freight loading stood at 1617 million tonnes.
“The projects are in line with prime minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a new India which will make people of the region “Atmanirbhar” by way of comprehensive development in the area which will enhance their employment and self-employment opportunities,” the statement said.
These projects will be a part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity. Launched in October 2021, PM Gati Shakti is enhancing the competitiveness of Indian industries by reducing the overall logistics costs. It’s also boosting the share of railways in the overall freight volumes besides attracting private investments.
“The railways being environment friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimising logistics cost of the country, reduce oil import (950 million litres) and lower CO2 emissions (4,770 million kg) which is equivalent to plantation of 190 million trees,” the statement said.
In the last financial year, the cabinet had approved 11 rail projects worth 32,584 crore. The union budget for FY26 has estimated total capex of Rs 2.62 lakh crore.