AMN/ WEB DESK
The Union Cabinet has approved three multitracking railway projects with a total cost of more than ten thousand seven hundred crore rupees. Briefing media in New Delhi, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that these projects cover 14 Districts across West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, increasing the existing network of Indian Railways by about 656 kilometres. Mr Vaishnaw said that these projects are Kharagpur to Jharsuguda fourth Line, Katni to Pendra Road fourth Line and Bilaspur to Pendra Road third Line. The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals are poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion.
The Union Cabinet also approved five multitracking projects covering 17 Districts across the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, increasing the existing network of Indian Railways by about 540 kilometres. The total estimated cost of the projects is more than 10 thousand 21 crore and they are planned to be completed up to 2029-30. These routes include Arakkonam to Renigunta third and fourth Line, Whitefield to Bangarapet third and fourth Line and doubling of Hosur to Omalur line. The approved multi-tracking projects will enhance connectivity to approximately two thousand one hundred villages having a population of about 52 lakhs.
Mr Vaishnaw informed that the government has decided to four lining or quadrupling of all the seven high density railway corridors. These routes are Delhi to Howrah, Mumbai to Howrah, Delhi to Mumbai, Delhi to Guwahati, Delhi to Chennai, Howrah to Chennai and Mumbai to Chennai Route. These routes covers 11 thousand kilometres Railway networks and four lining of 2000 kilometres has been completed. These approved projects for four lining are related to the high density raliway networks.
In reply to a question on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed that the Bullet train service will commence next year. He said, the construction work on this corridor is progressing rapidly and initally the 100 kilometre section from Surat to Vapi will be open.