New Delhi, 13 May (H.S.):

The Union Cabinet has approved the country’s first semi high‑speed double‑track rail project between Ahmedabad (Sarkhej) and Dholera in Gujarat. The project is estimated to cost approximately Rs 20,667 crore and is targeted for completion by 2030–31.

Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the Cabinet decisions at a press conference on Wednesday, stating that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, granted approval for the semi high‑speed double rail line project from Ahmedabad (Sarkhej) to Dholera in Gujarat. The project’s estimated cost is around Rs 20,667 crore, with a completion target of 2030–31.

The Rail Ministry said this will be Indian Railways’ first semi high‑speed rail project, to be developed using indigenous technology. Under the project, approximately 134 kilometres of new track will be laid.

Vaishnaw noted that the project is of crucial importance to the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor. Dholera is being developed as a major high‑tech hub for semiconductors, electronics, aviation components and solar‑cell manufacturing. An international airport is also under construction at Dholera, which will facilitate flights to Europe via the Arabian Sea and the Middle East.

He said the project will provide fast, improved connectivity between Ahmedabad, the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR), the upcoming Dholera airport and the Lothal National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC), thereby reducing travel times for passengers. Connecting Ahmedabad with Dholera will shorten journey times, making daily commutes more convenient and enabling same‑day return trips. The semi high‑speed rail will not only bring the two cities closer but will also connect people living hundreds of kilometres away more effectively.

Vaishnaw added that the project will improve Saurashtra’s linkage with the main rail routes to Mumbai and southern India, and that integration with the metro network is also planned.

Covering parts of Ahmedabad district in Gujarat, the project will expand Indian Railways’ existing network by roughly 134 kilometres. It will provide enhanced rail connectivity to about 284 villages and serve an estimated population of nearly 500,000.

The Rail Ministry further stated that, as an environmentally friendly mode of transport, the project will reduce the country’s logistics costs, save approximately 4.8 million litres of oil, and cut carbon emissions by roughly 2 million kilograms — equivalent to planting about 1 million trees.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar