Network Planning Group reviews Kanalus – Okha railway line doubling project in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD : The 97th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) convened on Friday to evaluate significant infrastructure projects from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) and the Ministry of Railways (MoR). The meeting focused on enhancing multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency, aligning with the core principles of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP)

The NPG evaluated a total of five projects, including one railway project from Gujarat related to the doubling of the railway track between Kanalus and Okha stations.

As per the official statement by the Union Government, “This proposal involves doubling the existing 141.117 km railway line between Kanalus Junction and Okha in Gujarat. This strategically significant alignment passes through culturally and historically important regions, aiming to bolster connectivity to key religious destinations like Dwarkadhish Temple and Okha Port, which witness substantial pilgrim influx. The doubling will significantly improve passenger movement, ensuring safer, faster, and more efficient travel. From a strategic standpoint, its proximity to India’s western maritime borders makes it vital for defense logistics and operational efficiency. The route is also a critical freight corridor, connecting major industrial hubs and facilitating seamless freight movement across Gujarat and beyond.”

Furthermore, each project was assessed for its conformity to PM GatiShakti’s principles of integrated multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity to economic and social nodes, and inter-departmental coordination. These initiatives are poised to significantly boost logistics efficiency, reduce travel times, and deliver substantial socio-economic benefits across the regions they serve.