Railway Expansion: Rs 24,634 Crore Boost for India
The Indian government has taken a significant step to enhance the railway infrastructure by approving four major expansion projects. With a total investment of Rs 24,634 crore, these projects will cover a route length of 894 km and benefit 18 districts across four states. This initiative is expected to ease high-density routes and increase freight loading capacity throughout the country.
One of the key projects is the expansion of the Wardha-Bhusawal line, which is part of the initiative to quadruple the Mumbai-Howrah route, one of the busiest in the Indian Railways network. This particular line will be completed in five years, costing approximately Rs 9,197 crore, and is strategically located to connect major economic hubs such as JNPA, Kandla Port, and Mundra Port. It is projected to facilitate an additional freight traffic of 16.2 million tons per annum (mtpa).
Another project includes the 84-km Gondia-Dongargarh line, which will pass through the aspirational district of Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh. This expansion aims to improve coal transportation from various mines in the region to thermal power plants located in states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana. It is expected to add an impressive 30.6 mtpa to the freight traffic.
The Vadodara-Ratlam line is also part of the high-density network connecting Delhi and Mumbai. This expansion traverses through several districts in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, and it is anticipated to enhance freight loading in coal, containers, limestone, and petroleum products by 16.5 mtpa.
Lastly, the Itarsi-Bhopal-Bina line is crucial as it connects major cities, including Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. This line will not only enhance connectivity to significant tourist destinations such as Sanchi, Bhimbetka, and the Satpura tiger reserve but will also support the growing demands of passenger and freight traffic.
Overall, these railway projects are poised to transform the logistics landscape in India, providing a robust framework for economic growth and improved connectivity for passengers and goods alike.
