Cabinet Clears Rs 10,021-Crore Railway Multitracking Projects Across Four States

New Delhi, Sep 9 (KNN) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved five multitracking projects of the Ministry of Railways with a total estimated cost of Rs. 10,021 crore, covering 17 districts across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana.

The approved projects include the Arakkonam–Renigunta 3rd and 4th Line (77 km), Whitefield–Bangarapet 3rd and 4th Line (47 km), Hosur–Omalur Doubling (147 km), Salem–Karur–Dindigul Doubling (159 km) and multitracking of Secunderabad (Ghatkesar)–Kazipet (110 km). The projects are planned for completion by 2029-30.

The projects will add about 540 km to the existing Indian Railways network and enhance connectivity to around 2,121 villages with a population of about 52 lakh.

Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects will focus on multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency. The increased line capacity is expected to improve operational efficiency, service reliability and ease congestion.

The routes are important for transporting coal, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles, food grains, petroleum products and fertilisers. The capacity augmentation is expected to generate additional freight traffic of around 47 million tonnes per annum.

The Railways said the projects are expected to reduce oil imports by around 8 crore litres and lower CO2 emissions by about 42 crore kg, equivalent to plantation of around 2 crore trees.

(KNN Bureau)