Cabinet clears two major railway projects worth ₹6,798 crore in Bihar and Andhra Pradesh
- In Reports
- 06:14 PM, Oct 24, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Union Cabinet on Thursday gave the green light to two important railway infrastructure projects. These projects, worth around Rs 6,798 crore, aim to boost connectivity in the states of Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.
The government has sanctioned two major railway projects: the doubling of the Narkatiaganj-Raxaul-Sitamarhi-Darbhanga and Sitamarhi-Muzaffarpur railway sections, covering a total distance of 256 km, and the construction of a new 57 km railway line between Errupalem and Namburu via Amaravati. It is anticipated that the doubling of Bihar's railway lines will enhance connectivity with Nepal, northeast India, and border regions, allowing for more efficient movement of both passenger and freight trains.
According to a statement from the government, it is expected to boost socio-economic growth throughout the region by improving travel and transit efficiency. The recently authorised railway line in Andhra Pradesh will pass through the districts of Khammam in Telangana and NTR Vijayawada and Guntur. The local population's mobility and industry stand to gain the most from this new connection, which is expected to increase regional connections.
In a Cabinet briefing, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasised the significance of the doubling project for the Mithilanchal region, which will offer crucial connection to the northeast and North Bihar. According to him, the project entails building over 40 significant bridges and establishing a crucial transportation route along the border between India and Nepal.
“Today, a very important project in Mithilanchal, providing strategic connectivity to North Bihar and Northeast, was sanctioned by the Cabinet... This complete corridor will become a major transport corridor along the border of India and Nepal. People of North Bihar and Mithilanchal will get good rail connectivity,” Vaishnaw said.
These initiatives would add over 313 kilometres to the Indian Railways network overall, spanning eight districts in the three states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Bihar. The government predicts that the projects, which will provide the necessary infrastructure to shorten travel times, lower logistics costs, and lessen reliance on oil imports, will be finished in five years. They are also anticipated to help India achieve its climate goals by reducing carbon dioxide emissions. According to the Centre, the projects are expected to provide over 10.6 million human days of labour during the building phase, resulting in direct employment.
The government has emphasised the need for these rail projects for the delivery of goods like steel, coal, fertiliser, and agricultural items. The projects are expected to improve supply chains and stimulate economic growth by increasing capacity to accommodate an additional 31 million tonnes of freight traffic annually (MTPA).
The projects have major positive effects on the environment as well. The predicted 168 crore kg of CO2 emissions that these actions will reduce are equal to growing seven crore trees, making rail a more ecologically friendly and energy-efficient form of transportation.
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