Indian Railways: Good news for railway passengers. The central government has made a significant decision regarding railway expansion. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light to three multi-tracking projects valued at Rs 10,783 crore. These projects will span across 14 districts in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
After completion, these initiatives will increase the track capacity of the Indian Railways network by about 656 kilometers. The government aims to finish these projects by 2029-30. This will alleviate congestion on current railway lines, leading to more efficient operations for passenger and freight trains.
The approved railway projects are:
1. The fourth line between Kharagpur-Jharsuguda (Bagdehi)
2. The fourth line between Katni-Pendra Road
3. The third line between Bilaspur (Uslapur)-Pendra Road.
According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, these projects will enhance rail connectivity for around 4,790 villages, benefiting an estimated 5.6 million residents.
The new railway lines will also enhance access to various popular tourist spots like Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Amarkantak Temple, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, and Ratanpur Mahamaya Temple. These routes are crucial for transporting goods like coal, cement, iron ore, and steel. The increased track capacity will facilitate the transportation of about 27 million tons of additional freight annually.
Furthermore, these projects, developed under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, aim to boost railway capacity, decrease freight transportation expenses, and reduce turnaround times nationwide. Shifting freight from roads to railways is anticipated to lower oil imports by around 120 million liters and cut CO₂ emissions by approximately 620 million kilograms, equivalent to planting about 24.8 million trees. Overall, these projects will enhance railway capacity, streamline train operations, and bolster passenger and freight transportation in five states.
Responding to an inquiry about the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, stated that the Bullet train operation is scheduled to start next year. He mentioned that the development of this route is advancing swiftly, with the first phase opening between Surat and Vapi, covering a 100-kilometer stretch.i