Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, Assam And Gujarat To Benefit As Modi Cabinet Approves Rail Projects Worth Over Rs 12,300 Crore

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned four major railway projects valued at over Rs 12,300 crore.

These initiatives, under the Ministry of Railways, aim to enhance passenger and freight transportation across Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, and Assam, while promoting tourism, reducing logistics costs, and supporting environmental goals.

The projects include one new rail line in Gujarat's remote Kutch region and multi-tracking upgrades on four existing corridors, aligning with the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

They will cover 13 districts, generating direct employment for about 251 lakh human-days during construction and fostering self-reliance in the regions.

Key Projects and Highlights

• Deshalpar-Hajipir-Luna and Vayor-Lakhpat New Line (Gujarat): A 145 km line costing Rs 2,526 crore, set for completion in three years, will connect Kutch's Rann, the Harappan site of Dholavira, Koteshwar temple, Narayan Sarovar, and Lakhpat fort. It will add 164 track km, 13 stations, and benefit 866 villages and 16 lakh people, boosting tourism and transport of salt, cement, coal, clinker, and bentonite.

• Secunderabad (Sanathnagar)-Wadi Third and Fourth Line (Karnataka and Telangana): Spanning 173 km at Rs 5,012 crore, this five-year project will enhance connectivity for 3,108 villages and 47.34 lakh people, including the aspirational district of Kalaburagi.

• Bhagalpur-Jamalpur Third Line (Bihar): A 53 km stretch costing Rs 1,156 crore, to be completed in three years, improving regional capacity.

• Furkating-New Tinsukia Doubling (Assam): This 194 km doubling, budgeted at Rs 3,634 crore, will be finished in four years, strengthening Northeast connectivity.

The projects are planned on PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with focused on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations, an official statement said.

The four projects will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 565 Km.

These projects will increase freight capacity by 68 MTPA, optimizing supply chains for coal, cement, steel, containers, fertilizers, agricultural goods, automobiles, POL, and iron.

Environmentally, they will reduce oil imports by 56 crore liters, cut CO2 emissions by 360 crore kg (equivalent to planting 14 crore trees), and promote energy-efficient transport, supporting India's climate goals.

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