New Delhi, 24 February (H.S.): The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, greenlit three pivotal Indian Railways multi-tracking projects Tuesday worth ₹9,072 crore, slated for completion by 2030-31.

I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced approval for Gondia-Jabalpur doubling, Punarak-Kiul third/fourth lines, and Gamharia-Chandil third/fourth lines—covering eight districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand—expanding network by 307 km.

Enhanced connectivity serves 98 lakh residents across 5,407 villages, slashing congestion, boosting efficiency/reliability. Aligned with PM Gati Shakti, projects spur regional growth, jobs, self-reliance; freight capacity jumps 52 million tonnes annually (coal, steel, iron ore, cement, fertilizers, POL).

Green Gains: Oil Savings, CO2 Cuts Equal Crore Trees

Environmentally, initiatives save ~6 crore litres oil imports, curb 30 crore kg CO2 emissions (≈1 crore trees planted); better access to Kachnar Shiv Temple, Kanha/Pench parks, Dhuandhar Falls, Chandil Dam, Dalma Sanctuary.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar