Maharashtra is among the key states as the Central Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday approved Rs 9,072 crore railway expansion projects.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved three Railway Ministry projects worth around Rs 9,072 crore.
The projects include doubling of the Gondia-Jabalpur rail section and laying of third and fourth lines on the Punarakh-Kiul and Gamharia-Chandil sections.
According to the government, the projects will expand the Indian Railways network by about 307 kilometres.
The works will cover eight districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. Officials said the improved rail network will enhance connectivity for nearly 5,407 villages with a combined population of around 98 lakh people, according to the PTI.
The additional lines are expected to reduce congestion, improve operational efficiency and make train services more reliable.
The Railway Ministry said the projects are aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which focuses on multi-modal connectivity and better logistics planning, as per the PTI.
The upgraded routes will also improve access to tourist destinations such as the Kachnar Shiv Temple, Kanha National Park, Pench National Park, Dhuandhar Falls, Chandil Dam and Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, among others, the news agency reported.
Freight and economic benefits
The routes are important for transporting commodities such as coal, steel, iron ore, cement, fertilisers and foodgrains.
The ministry said the increased capacity will allow additional freight movement of about 52 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
It added that railways, being an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transport, will help reduce logistics costs and cut oil imports by around six crore litres. Carbon dioxide emissions are expected to fall by nearly 30 crore kilograms, which the government said is equivalent to planting one crore trees, the PTI reported.
Focus on self-reliance
The ministry stated that the railway projects are part of the government’s vision of building a self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat) by creating better infrastructure and increasing employment and self-employment opportunities in the region, as per the PTI.
Further implementation steps will now be taken by the Union Railway Ministry, the officials said.
(with PTI inputs)