Cabinet Approves Rail Projects Worth ₹6,798 Crore

New Delhi- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved two significant railway projects with a combined cost of Rs 6,798 crore. The Ministry of Railways launched these projects to improve connectivity, decrease logistics costs, and reduce carbon emissions over five years.

The first project involves doubling the existing railway lines between Narkatiaganj-Raxaul-Sitamarhi-Darbhanga and Sitamarhi-Muzaffarpur in Bihar. This 256-kilometer stretch will play a crucial role in enhancing access to Nepal, northeastern India, and other border regions, facilitating smoother movement of both passenger and freight services.

The second project greenlit by the CCEA is the construction of a new 57-kilometer railway line connecting Errupalem and Namburu via Amaravati. This line will traverse through Andhra Pradesh's NTR Vijayawada and Guntur districts, as well as Telangana's Khammam district.

These projects will collectively add 313 kilometers to the Indian Railways, benefiting eight districts in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Bihar. The new line in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will particularly serve 168 villages and approximately 1.2 million people, while the multi-tracking project in Bihar will improve connectivity for 388 villages and 9 million residents in Sitamarhi and Muzaffarpur districts.

The capacity enhancements are expected to significantly impact freight transport, with an estimated increase of 31 million tonnes annually. This includes the transportation of essential goods such as agricultural products, coal, steel, and cement.

In terms of environmental sustainability, the projects are anticipated to reduce CO2 emissions by 168 crore kilograms, equivalent to planting seven crore trees. These efforts align with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which focuses on developing seamless, multi-modal connectivity across India.

According to the CCEA, the new line in Andhra Pradesh will provide direct connectivity to the proposed capital, Amaravati, while also boosting mobility for industries and the general population. The multi-tracking project in Bihar will address congestion and enhance operational efficiency on one of the busiest sections of the Indian Railways network.