The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister has given the green light to eight new railway line projects across India, with an estimated total cost of approximately Rs. 24,657 crore. These projects are designed to improve connectivity, facilitate ease of travel, and significantly reduce logistics costs, oil imports, and CO2 emissions.
The newly approved projects will extend the Indian Railways network by 900 kilometers, covering 14 districts in seven states: Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Telangana, and West Bengal. The development will lead to the construction of 64 new stations, enhancing connectivity for six aspirational districts, approximately 510 villages, and around 40 lakh people.
These projects, which are part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity, underscore the government’s commitment to comprehensive regional development. The initiative aims to create seamless transportation networks, thereby boosting logistical efficiency and accelerating economic growth. The projects are also expected to generate direct employment, creating about three crore man-days during the construction phase.
Among the key highlights, the new railway lines will provide direct connectivity to significant tourist destinations like the Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, facilitating easier access for tourists. Additionally, the routes are essential for the transportation of various commodities, including agricultural products, coal, iron ore, and steel, with a capacity to handle an additional freight traffic of 143 million tonnes per annum.
The environmental benefits of these projects are substantial, with expectations to reduce oil imports by 32.20 crore liters and lower CO2 emissions by 0.87 million tonnes, equivalent to the plantation of 3.5 crore trees.
These developments are integral to the government’s broader vision of making India self-reliant (Atmanirbhar) through enhanced infrastructure, promoting regional economic growth, and ensuring sustainable development across the country.
