Union Cabinet approves 6 railway projects including one in Gujarat
NEW DELHI : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved 6 (Six) projects of the Ministry of Railways with total estimated cost of Rs. 12,343 crore (approx.) with 100% funding from Central Government. One of these six projects is in Gujarat-Rajasthan which is doubling of railway line on Luni – Bhildi stretch. This particular project 271 km in length will involve Rs. 3531 crore expenditure.
The multi-tracking proposals will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections across Indian Railways. The projects are in line with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji’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 6 (Six) projects covering 18 Districts in 6 States i.e., Rajasthan, Assam, Telangana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Nagaland will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by 1020 Kms. and will provide employment of about 3 (Three) crores man-days to the people of the States.
The projects are result of PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-model connectivity which have been possible through integrated planning and will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services.
| S.No. | Name of Section for doubling stretch | Length in (kms.) | Estimates cost (Rs.) | State |
| 1 | Ajmer-Chanderiya | 178.28 | 1813.28 | Rajasthan |
| 2 | Jaipur-Sawai Madhopur | 131.27 | 1268.57 | Rajasthan |
| 3. | Luni-Samdari-Bhildi | 271.97 | 3530.92 | Gujarat & Rajasthan |
| 4 | Agthori-Kamakhya with new Rail cum Road Briedge | 7.062 | 1650.37 | Assam |
| 5 | Lumding-Furkating | 140 | 2333.84 | Assam & Nagaland |
| 6 | Motumari-Vishnupuram andRail over Rail at Motumari | 88.81 10.87 | 1746.20 | Telangana & Andhra Pradesh |
These are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as food grains, food commodities, fertilizers, coal, cement, iron, steel, fly-ash, clinker, limestone, POL, container etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 87 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 and lower CO2 emissions.