Cabinet Approves Rs.6,798-Cr Rail Projects to Enhance Connectivity and Cut CO2 Emissions

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given the green light to two significant railway projects worth Rs.6,798 crore. These initiatives, spearheaded by the Ministry of Railways, aim to improve connectivity, lower logistics costs, and reduce carbon emissions over the next five years.

The first project focuses on doubling the railway lines between Narkatiaganj, Raxaul, Sitamarhi, and Darbhanga, covering a total distance of 256 kilometers. This upgrade will facilitate better access to Nepal, northeastern India, and other border areas, benefiting both passenger and freight services. The second project involves the construction of a new railway line connecting Errupalem and Namburu via Amaravati, stretching 57 kilometers through Andhra Pradesh’s NTR, Vijayawada, Guntur districts, and Telangana’s Khammam district.

Together, these projects will impact eight districts across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Bihar, adding 313 kilometers to the Indian Railways network. The new railway line will directly serve 168 villages and benefit approximately 1.2 million residents. Meanwhile, the multi-tracking project will enhance connectivity for 388 villages and improve access for around 900,000 people in the Sitamarhi and Muzaffarpur regions.

These capacity enhancements are vital for the efficient transport of various goods, including agricultural products, coal, steel, and cement, with an anticipated increase in freight traffic by 31 million tonnes each year. Environmentally, the projects are projected to cut CO2 emissions by 168 crore kilograms, which is comparable to planting seven crore trees. These efforts are part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which emphasizes seamless, multi-modal connectivity throughout India.

The proposed new line will provide direct access to Amaravati, the planned capital of Andhra Pradesh, improving mobility for industries and local residents. This development is expected to boost efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways, according to the CCEA. Furthermore, the multi-tracking initiative will alleviate operational challenges and reduce congestion, offering essential infrastructure development for some of the busiest railway sections in the country.

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