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The central government has taken a big step towards modernizing the country’s infrastructure and public transport network. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given official approval to four large multi-tracking rail projects for the Indian Railways with a total estimated cost of about ₹9,450 crore. Press Release of Press Information Bureau According to , these four projects will pass through 8 industrial and densely populated districts of four major states of the country – West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Under this major infrastructure expansion, 410 km of new multi-track will be added to the railway network, which is targeted to be completed by the year 2030-31. This decision will not only make the daily commute of about 60 lakh citizens of 6,448 villages smooth and safe, but will also significantly reduce the country’s logistics cost by increasing the speed of freight movement.
Which 4 major rail routes got approval? See full list
The main objective of these four projects approved by the Cabinet is to reduce the pressure on the extremely busy trunk routes of the country and increase the line capacity manifold:
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Kharagpur to Bhadrak (Ranital) 4th Line (173 km): This largest project connecting West Bengal and Odisha will cost approximately ₹3,352 crore. This route will pass through the coastal districts of Baleshwar and Rupsa of Odisha.
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Bhadrak to Haridaspur 4th Line (75 km): Approximately ₹1,583 crore will be spent on the widening of this route located in the industrial belt of Odisha.
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Gummidipundi to Gudur 3rd and 4th Line (90 km): There will be an investment of approximately ₹2,229 crore on this important south-eastern corridor connecting Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
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Cuttack to Paradip (Badabandha) 3rd and 4th Line (72 km): This rail line, connecting major Paradip port and industrial clusters of Odisha, will cost ₹2,286 crore.
60 lakh people and 6,448 villages will get direct benefits
The social and regional impact of these rail projects is going to be quite wide. DD India report According to the Railways, about 60 lakh people of about 6,448 rural areas spread over 8 districts of the four states will get direct and fast connectivity to the mainstream rail network. Students, traders, farmers and working people from rural and semi-urban areas will now be able to commute to nearby cities and industrial centers in less time. This will open doors to big markets for local level employment, self-employment and small cottage industries.
Tourism and pilgrimage sites will get new life
It will now become very easy to reach many major religious, cultural and natural tourist destinations located in the eastern and southern coastal areas. This extension will ensure direct access of tourists to Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika National Park, Maa Bhadrakali Temple, Panchalingeshwar Temple, Chandipur Beach, Talasari-Udaipur Beach, Pulicat Lake, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Lord Veeraraghava Perumal Temple, Gada Kujang Jagannath Temple, Sarala Temple, Dhavaleshwar Temple and the historical Buddhist site Lalitgiri.
76 MTPA freight capacity will increase: double benefit to environment and economy
With the addition of the third and fourth lines in the railway network, the problem of train congestion will be completely eliminated, which will significantly improve the average speed of passenger trains as well as freight trains. Coal, iron ore, cement, steel, containers, automobiles and food grains are transported through these railway routes. The capacity expansion will benefit the Railways with additional freight traffic of 76 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
This step is also historic from the point of view of environmental protection. Moving more freight by railways as compared to road transport will save about 13 crore liters of oil import and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 65 crore kilograms. According to experts, this environmental benefit is equivalent to planting approximately 2.60 crore new trees.
Holistic development under PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan
All these projects have been prepared on the basis of multi-modal connectivity and integrated logistics strategy under the ‘PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan’. Directly connecting ports, industrial corridors and mineral areas with the railway network will strengthen India’s overall supply chain, which will play an important role in realizing the resolve of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and a developed India by 2047.