New Delhi, Aug 27(HS): In a major boost to infrastructure and connectivity, the Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved four key railway projects worth approximately ₹12,328 crore. The approvals include a new railway line in Gujarat’s Kutch region and multi-tracking projects in Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, and Assam, collectively aimed at enhancing passenger convenience, freight movement, and regional economic growth.

The sanctioned projects are:

--Deshalpar–Hajipir–Luna and Vayor–Lakhpat New Line (Gujarat)

--Secunderabad (Sanathnagar)–Wadi 3rd & 4th Line (Karnataka, Telangana)

--Bhagalpur–Jamalpur 3rd Line (Bihar)

--Furkating–New Tinsukia Doubling (Assam)

Together, these projects will add 565 route km to the Indian Railways network, covering 13 districts and benefiting around 63 lakh people across five states. They are expected to generate nearly 251 lakh human workdays during construction while reducing logistics costs, easing congestion, and cutting dependence on oil imports.

Kutch New Line: Strategic & Tourism Boost

The new 145 km Deshalpar–Lakhpat line in Gujarat, sanctioned at an estimated cost of ₹2,526 crore and targeted for completion in three years, will connect far-flung areas of Kutch. Alongside supporting salt, coal, cement, clinker, and bentonite transport, the line is expected to significantly boost tourism by linking the Rann of Kutch, the Harappan site of Dholavira (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Koteshwar temple, Narayan Sarovar, and the historic Lakhpat fort. The project will add 13 new railway stations benefiting nearly 16 lakh people across 866 villages.

Multi-Tracking for Faster, Greener Railways

-The 173 km Secunderabad–Wadi 3rd & 4th line (₹5,012 crore) will enhance connectivity between Karnataka and Telangana within five years, benefiting one aspirational district (Kalaburagi).

-The 53 km Bhagalpur–Jamalpur 3rd line (₹1,156 crore) will be completed in three years, strengthening Bihar’s railway grid.

-The 194 km Furkating–New Tinsukia doubling (₹3,634 crore), to be completed in four years, will improve capacity across Northeast India.

With freight capacity augmentation of 68 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), the network expansion will streamline transportation of coal, fertilizers, steel, petroleum, agricultural commodities, and containers. The projects are expected to save 56 crore liters of fuel and cut 360 crore kg of CO₂ emissions—equivalent to planting 14 crore trees.

Officials emphasized that these projects align with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, ensuring integrated logistics, improved multi-modal connectivity, and sustainable growth.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar