Cabinet approves four railway projects worth Rs 12,328 crore to five states including Bihar

The Union Cabinet has presented four railway projects valued at Rs 12,000 crore to five states, including Bihar, as a gift. Besides constructing new railway tracks in the states, the doubling of tracks will be carried out.

The government cleared four rail projects of Rs 12,328 crore in Bihar, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat, and Assam. These comprise Deshalpar-Hajipir-Luna and Vayor and Lakhpat new rail line construction, third and fourth line between Secunderabad (Sanathnagar)-Wadi, third line between Bhagalpur and Jamalpur, and doubling of Furkating-New Tinsukia line.

Such projects will ensure smooth and rapid transport of both cargo and commuters. These schemes will enhance connectivity and convenience of travel as well as lower the logistics cost. It will also decrease reliance on oil imports. Apart from this, these projects will help in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. It will promote sustainable and efficient rail operations. These projects will also generate direct employment for about 251 lakh man-days during their construction.

The proposed new railway line will provide connectivity to remote areas of the Kutch region. It will add 145 route km and 164 track km to the existing railway network of Gujarat. Its estimated cost is Rs 2526 crore. The completion time of the project is 3 years. Apart from boosting tourism in the state of Gujarat, this new rail line will also help in the transportation of salt, cement, coal, clinker, and bentonite.

The strategic importance of this project is that it will provide connectivity to the Rann of Kutch. Harappan sites Dholavira, Koteshwar Temple, Narayan Sarovar, and Lakhpat Fort will also come under the rail network as 13 new railway stations will be added, which will benefit 866 villages and around 16 lakh population.