Big railway push! Centre approves Rs 12,328 cr projects spread across 5 states; check details

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved four major railway infrastructure projects worth around Rs 12,328 Crore. Spread across Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, and Assam, the projects are aimed at boosting passenger and freight connectivity, reducing logistics costs, and supporting India’s climate goals.The four approved projects include the Deshalpar–Hajipir–Luna and Vayor–Lakhpat new line in Gujarat, the Secunderabad (Sanathnagar)–Wadi 3rd and 4th line spanning Karnataka and Telangana, the Bhagalpur–Jamalpur 3rd line in Bihar, and the Furkating–New Tinsukia doubling in Assam.“The above projects aim to ensure seamless and faster transportation of both passengers and goods. These initiatives will provide connectivity & improve travel convenience besides reducing logistic cost and decrease dependence on oil imports,” the press release released by the ministry read. “Additionally, the projects will contribute to lower CO2 emissions, thereby supporting sustainable and efficient rail operations. The projects will also generate direct employment for about 251 (Two Hundred and Fifty-one) lakh human-days during its construction,” it said.These projects are collectively set to expand the railway network by 565 km, benefitting over 50 lakh people across 13 districts. The new railway projects align with the Prime Minister’s vision of “Atmanirbhar” Bharat, creating greater employment and self-employment opportunities while strengthening the country’s logistics backbone, as cited by the press release.The proposed Deshalpar–Hajipir–Luna and Vayor–Lakhpat new line will extend rail connectivity to remote parts of Kutch, adding a 145 km route for Rs 2,526 crore. Scheduled for completion in three years, the project is set to aid the transport of key commodities such as salt, cement, coal, clinker, and bentonite. With 13 new stations, it will cover sites including the Harappan city of Dholavira, Koteshwar temple, Narayan Sarovar, and Lakhpat fort, benefiting about 16 lakh people in 866 villages.The Cabinet also cleared three multi-tracking projects designed to ease congestion and improve operational efficiency. These include the Secunderabad (Sanathnagar)–Wadi 3rd & 4th Line (173 km; Rs 5,012 crore; five years), Bhagalpur–Jamalpur 3rd Line (53 km; Rs 1,156 crore; three years), and Furkating–New Tinsukia Doubling (194 km; Rs 3,634 crore; four years). “The approved Multi-tracking projects will enhance connectivity to approx. 3,108 villages and about 47.34 lakh population, and One Aspirational District (Kalaburagi),” the press release read.The capacity augmentation is expected to handle an additional 68 million tonnes of freight annually, particularly coal, cement, steel, fertilizers, agricultural goods, automobiles, and petroleum products.The projects will reportedly reduce oil imports by 56 crore litres, cut 360 crore kg of CO2 emissions, equivalent to planting 14 crore trees, and help streamline supply chains under the PM Gati Shakti Plan, as per government estimates.