New Delhi [India], June 11 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the approval of two vital railway multitracking projects worth Rs 6,405 crore, emphasising their role in enhancing connectivity, commerce, and sustainability across India.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Today, two vital projects relating to the Railways were approved. Covering various states, these projects will improve connectivity and commerce and also boost sustainability."
Earlier today, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, approved two projects of the Ministry of Railways worth Rs 6,405 crore, with the aim to improve travel convenience, reduce logistic costs, decrease oil imports and contribute to lower CO2 emissions.
The project approved by the cabinet included the 133-kilometre-long Koderma-Barkakana Doubling and the 185-kilometre-long Ballari-Chikjajur Doubling project. The Koderma-Barkakana Doubling project passes through a major coal-producing area of Jharkhand. Furthermore, it serves as the shortest and most efficient rail link between Patna and Ranchi.
Additionally, the Ballari-Chikjajur Doubling project traverses through Ballari and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka and Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh.
"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 Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji'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," according to a statement by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
The two projects covering seven Districts across the states of Jharkhand, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 318 km. The approved multi-tracking project will enhance connectivity to approximately 1,408 villages, which have a population of about 28.19 lakh.
"These are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, iron ore, finished steel, cement, fertilisers, agricultural commodities, and Petroleum products etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 49 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 (52 Crore Litres) and lower CO2 emissions (264 Crore Kg) which is equivalent to plantation of 11 Crore trees," the statement read.
The Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his gratitude to PM Narendra Modi after the Union Cabinet approved the two multitracking projects across Indian Railways.
In a post on X, Shah said that the projects will "turbocharge" the growth journey of these states.
"Gratitude to PM @narendramodi Ji for approving the project of multi-tracking of railways in 7 districts across Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. The projects will turbocharge the growth journey of these states, speeding up the prosperity of businesses and individuals and creating ample employment opportunities for the youth," Amit Shah said.