The Business Bytes
New Delhi, August 28, 2024 (TBB Bureau): The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved three major railway projects with a combined estimated cost of Rs 6,456 crore. The projects, undertaken by the Ministry of Railways, are slated for completion by the fiscal year 2028-29 and are expected to generate approximately 114 lakh man-days of direct employment during their construction phase.
These initiatives, which span across seven districts in four states —Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh — will extend the Indian Railways network by around 300 kilometres. They form a part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which aims to enhance multi-modal connectivity across the country.
The approval includes the construction of 14 new railway stations, significantly boosting connectivity in two aspirational districts, Nuapada in Odisha and East Singhbhum in Jharkhand. The new line projects are expected to provide connectivity to approximately 1,300 villages, benefiting around 11 lakh people. In addition, the multi-tracking project will enhance connectivity for around 1,300 more villages, impacting nearly 19 lakh people.
In a statement, the CCEA highlighted the broad economic benefits of these projects, which include improved logistical efficiency by connecting previously unconnected regions, increasing the capacity of existing railway lines, and enhancing the overall transportation network. These improvements are anticipated to streamline supply chains and accelerate economic growth in the covered areas.
“The new line proposals will provide direct connectivity and improve mobility, enhancing efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways,” the statement added. The projects are also seen as essential routes for transporting key commodities such as agricultural products, fertilizers, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, and limestone.
The government estimates that the capacity augmentation works will result in an additional freight traffic capacity of 45 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), further boosting the economic output and fostering regional development.
These projects underscore the government’s commitment to developing robust infrastructure and expanding rail connectivity to support India’s economic growth trajectory, especially in less developed and rural regions.
