The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved two important doubling projects of the Ministry of Railways. A total of Rs 6,405 crore will be spent on these projects. This will not only improve the operational efficiency of the railways but will also increase the capacity of freight and passenger transport.
The first project involves doubling the 133 km long railway line between Koderma and Barkakana in Jharkhand. This section passes through the major coal-producing areas of the state, providing the shortest and most efficient rail connectivity between Patna and Ranchi. This route is considered strategically very important for both freight and passenger trains.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the second project involves doubling the 185 km long rail section between Bellary and Chikjajur in Karnataka. This railway line passes through Bellary and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka, as well as Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. Mineral resources are abundant in these areas, which makes this route highly valuable from an industrial perspective. It will have 19 stations, 29 major bridges and 230 minor bridges. 470 villages and 13 lakh people will get connectivity.
Projects Are In Line With PM’s New Vision
Ashwini Vaishnaw informed that both projects will significantly increase the operational capacity of Indian Railways. He said that these multi-tracking proposals will not only reduce congestion in the railway network but will also improve the reliability and punctuality of the service. These projects align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a New India, which aims to promote regional development and self-reliance.
The minister said that both these projects are concrete steps towards realising multi-modal connectivity under the ‘PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan’. These will benefit approximately 1,408 villages in seven districts of Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, with a total population of around 28.19 lakh. This project will increase the railway network by 318 km.
These Projects Will Provide These Benefits
According to the Railway Ministry, these railway lines will be used for transporting significant freight traffic, including coal, iron ore, steel, cement, fertilisers, agricultural products, and petroleum. The projects will provide additional freight capacity of 49 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to the Indian Railways.
Apart from this, these projects will also prove beneficial from an environmental perspective. Railways are an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transport. These projects will reduce oil imports by 52 crore litres, as well as reduce 264 crore kg of CO₂ emissions, which is equivalent to planting 11 crore trees from an environmental perspective.
4 Suspended In The Case Of Dilapidated Coach For Soldiers
On the other hand, in the viral video of the dilapidated coach used by army personnel for Amarnath duty, Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the coach has been replaced. In this regard, 4 railway employees have been suspended.
