Bhubaneswar, September 9: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved three railway multitracking projects with total cost of Rs 10,783 crore. These projects include Kharagpur – Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) 4th Line, Katni – Pendra Road 4th Line and Bilaspur (Uslapur) – Pendra Road 3rd Line.
The projects covering 14 districts across the States of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 656 kms. The proposed multi-tracking projects will enhance connectivity to approx. 4,790 villages, which are having a population of about 56 lakhs.
The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals are poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion. The projects are in line with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision of a New India which will make people of the region “Atmanirbhar” by way of comprehensive development in the area which will enhance their employment/ self-employment opportunities.
The projects are planned on PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity & logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These projects will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services.
The proposed capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Taratarini Temple, Shri Khetra Jagannath Temple (Ancient temple near Jharsuguda), Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Virateshwar Temple, Amarkantak Temple, Jwaleshwar Dham, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, Khutaghat Dam, Malhar Archaeological Site, Ratanpur Mahamaya Temple, etc.
The proposed projects are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, cement, iron and steel, etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 27 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum). The Railways being environment friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimizing logistics cost of the country, reduce oil import (~12 Crore Litres) and lower CO2 emissions (~62 Crore Kg) which is equivalent to plantation of 2.48 crore trees.
